One item left at home saved a family from a deadly flight that crashed 31 years ago, a miraculous coincidence that changed their fate forever.

Years later at the site of the tragedy. Photo: Irkutsk Diocese.

January 3rd – a dark day for the residents of Irkutsk Oblast. Exactly 31 years ago, a terrible tragedy struck in the village of Mamony, claiming the lives of over a hundred people. On this day in 1994, 124 passengers and crew members boarded a Tu-154 aircraft. The plane was scheduled to leave the capital of Irkutsk and land in Moscow. However, shortly after takeoff, the engine caught fire, and all hydraulic systems failed. Unfortunately, nobody survived… Few know that one family from Irkutsk miraculously escaped the disaster. They had forgotten one item at home. Details can be found in the article by KP-Irkutsk.

“A deep mark on the soul”

Vladimir Gorbatov, along with his wife and children, welcomed the New Year of 1994 at their home in Irkutsk. However, the family wanted to spend their holidays in Moscow. They even booked tickets for that very flight at the travel agency in the train station.

- On January 2nd, we went to pick up the tickets, but I forgot my passport at home…, - Vladimir recounted earlier. The family didn’t want to go back. They decided to travel to the capital by train, especially since the ticket office suggested that he could check in with his military ID, which he had with him.

The Tu-154 disaster near Irkutsk on January 3, 1994.

Photo: Archive KP.

The next day, January 3rd, the plane took off as scheduled. But just 3.5 minutes later, the engine caught fire. The pilot urgently requested an emergency landing. He turned the aircraft back, but it was already uncontrollable. The plane crashed onto a dairy farm in the village of Mamony. The aircraft split into two upon impact. Debris was scattered up to 400 meters from the crash site. Everyone on board perished... That day, five small children were in the cabin. Additionally, 16 citizens from Germany, China, Austria, India, Japan, and France were flying from Irkutsk to the capital. The tragedy also claimed the life of a farmer who died on the ground while working.

The horrifying news about the crash of the flight that Vladimir and his family intended to board reached the Gorbatovs while they were on the road.

- The news left a deep mark on the soul, - Gorbatov said at the time.

The engine had failed before

Several years after the tragic event, the Gorbatovs moved to Mamony. Eventually, they decided to build a church. The idea was supported by the Irkutsk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Initially, a parish council was formed, and donations were collected. However, it wasn't until April 2017 that construction of the church could begin. It took almost 10 years to secure the land, and another two years for the project.

Moreover, 20 years after the tragedy, a memorial plaque listing all the victims was installed at the crash site. Every year, relatives of the deceased, local residents, and clergy gather here to hold memorial services.

Incidentally, following the plane crash, the investigation commission found that the engine had failed before. In the summer of 1993, it malfunctioned while approaching Guangzhou. On the day of the disaster, the engine was only successfully started on the fifth attempt.

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