I can't speculate on the cause of PULKOVO TU-154 crash
at this time.
The Pan Am 707 was WX radar equipped and in a holding pattern with 5 other aircraft when it was struck by lightning. The old Maritime Central DC-4, CF-MCF, did not have WX radar, sadly. Photo of sister ship
CF-MCB taken one month before crash. Link:
http://us.airliners.net/photos/photos/2/3/8/0009832.jpg
Photo of a PULKOVO TU-154:
http://www.auctiontransportation.com...00122448_1.JPG