Aeroflot Flight 7841

Aeroflot

Industry	Aviation
Founded	1923
Headquarters	Moscow , Soviet Union
Products	Air transport services

Aeroflot Flight 7841 was a domestic passenger service flying from Minsk in the former Soviet Byelorussia (present-day Belarus) to Leningrad (currently Saint Petersburg). On 1 February 1985, the flight, operated by a Tupolev Tu-134A aircraft, encountered a simultaneous failure of both engines shortly after takeoff. Unable to return to Minsk, the flight crew executed an emergency landing in a wooded area, resulting in 58 fatalities out of the 80 occupants onboard. Among the survivors were 22 individuals, including three crew members. The dual engine failure was caused by ice entering the engines.

Aircraft

The accident involved a Tupolev Tu-134A with the registration CCCP-65910. This aircraft was manufactured on 11 May 1982 and had accumulated 448 flight cycles before the incident. It entered operational service on 8 June 1982.

Crash

Approximately six seconds after liftoff, at an altitude of 35 metres (115 ft) and traveling at 325 km/h (175 kn; 202 mph), the left engine experienced a sudden power loss accompanied by unusual popping sounds and a decline in exhaust gas temperature. The pilots leveled the aircraft’s wings and continued ascending. The co-pilot promptly informed air traffic control of the engine malfunction and requested permission to return to the airport. At 65 seconds post-takeoff, following another loud noise, an excessive vibration warning signaled issues with the right engine. Shortly thereafter, this engine also failed while the plane was at an altitude of 240 metres (790 ft). To preserve speed and maintain control, the captain initiated a gentle descent with a vertical speed of 7 metres per second (23 ft/s). Emerging from low cloud cover, the aircraft approached a forested area with trees reaching heights of up to 30 meters. At about 22 m (72 ft), the plane struck treetops, sustaining severe damage before crashing and igniting upon impact—except for the tail section which remained intact. Of those onboard, 58 lost their lives while 22 survived with injuries, including both pilots.

The crash location was approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi; 5.4 nmi) east of Minsk National Airport. Rescue teams arrived at the site three hours after the accident occurred.

Investigation

The inquiry determined that the malfunction of both engines was caused by the ingestion of ice, resulting in compressor stall, damage to the compressors, and excessive heating of the turbine blades. Due to extensive harm sustained by the aircraft and its engines, investigators were unable to identify the origin of the ice.