Cargo plane Ilyushin IL-76 crash near Ivanovo in heart of Russia.

On Tuesday, March 11, 2024, Russia announced an IL-76 crash down near Ivanovo (200 km northeast of Moscow). During a test flight, a cargo plane had a fire on board and tried to land back at the Severnyy RUAF (Russian Air Force) airbase. According to the Ministry of Defense, a bird strike may cause a fire on board.
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 The flight path of crashed IL-76 on March 11, 2024. (Picture source: Army Recognition )

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Il-76 Ilyushin military transport plane crashed while taking off on Tuesday, March 11, 2024, at about 1 p.m. Moscow time (10.00GMT) while carrying eight crew members and seven passengers for flight training.

The Ilyushin Il-76, a versatile and robust four-engine turbofan strategic military transport aircraft, was developed by the Soviet Union's Ilyushin Design Bureau in the 1960s. Originally designed for moving heavy machinery to remote, poorly served areas, it has become widely used for various types of cargo, including dropping paratroopers, heavy vehicles, and equipment.

The Il-76 has seen extensive service in military, disaster relief, and humanitarian missions around the globe, thanks to its large payload capacity, ability to operate from unpaved runways, and robustness in harsh conditions. Over the years, it has been updated in several versions to enhance its performance and capabilities, making it a mainstay in the air fleets of several countries well into the 21st century.

The Il-76 is designed to transport a typical cargo payload, capable of accommodating up to 6 ISO containers with a total weight of 34,020 kg. In addition to its cargo transport role, it can be configured for troop transport, with a capacity for 140 passengers or 125 paratroopers. For defense missions, it is optionally equipped with 2 GSh-23 cannons of 23 × 115 mm in a tail turret.

Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 850 km/h, it usually operates at a cruise speed between 750 and 780 km/h, flying at cruise altitudes ranging from 9,000 to 12,000 meters. Its range varies depending on the load: with its maximum payload of 47,000 kg, it can travel up to 3,800 km, while with a reduced load of 20 tons, this distance extends to 7,300 km. Its takeoff and landing capabilities are also impressive, requiring respectively 1,700 meters and between 900 to 1,000 meters.

The first reports of the accident were read at 10.20 GMT. According to OSINT Sources compelled on the maps, several videos show the plane trying to turn after a fire ignition on the right engine. Trying to perform an emergency landing on the airbase. Several videos were localized in the area of Ivanovo several minutes after the crash MI8 choppers, rescue, and transport flight to the crash site.

Defense News March 2024