Some Mechanical and Structural Aspects of the Smolensk Crash
By Dr. Gregory Szuladzinski, Ph.D., MSME
SCND2014GS

Conclusions

The front of the fuselage landed in a normal position, while the rest of the plane fell upside down. This means that the disintegration of the structure took place in the air. This report concludes that explosions were the cause.

When a fuselage falls in its entirety, it may crack, although the rupture along the axis is rare. However, the opening of the hull to the outside can only be attributed to an internal explosion.

Of all the traces the most important are: a huge amount of debris and dismemberment of human bodies.

As long as there is no one with a better hypothesis consistent with the circumstances, it is the only explanation of the cause and sequence of the disaster.

Acknowledgement

Thanks are due to Mr. V. Stanford, MSME, who reviewed this text and made many valuable suggestions that were implemented.