The Tupolev Tu-134A-3 operated by RusAir on behalf of RusLine took off from Moscow, Russia for a passenger flight to Petrozavodsk, Russia. 43 passengers and 9 crewmembers were onboard. The aircraft crashed while on short of the runway while approaching its final destination. 47 occupants were killed, and 5 survived with injuries of varying degree (from medium to critical).
The plane was on approach on Petrozavodsk airport when it clipped some trees and a high power line. The aircraft subsequently crashed on a highway, broke up and burst in fire. The plane came to rest about 390 meters to the right of the runway's extended centerline and 570 meters short of the runway threshold. Debris are scattered on the highway and in the nearby gardens of several private homes at the outskirts of the Besovets village. No home was hit.
Weather reports indicated a poor visibility of about 2000 meters (6500 feet), rain and overcast cloud at 400 ft (120 meters).
Petrozavodsk's runway 01/19 (former 02/20) is 2500 meters/8200 feet long. The airport offers non-precision NDB approaches to runway 01 and 19.
