Accident
A four-engine aircraft departed Ostafyevo AFB on a flight to Tiksi with intermediate stops at Ryazan and Vorkuta. The aircraft carried 15 passengers, seven crew members, and a load of 6 tons of plumbing and communication equipment. En route from Ryazan to Vorkuta, the crew was diverted to Amderma due to poor weather conditions. On approach to Amderma, the crew also encountered poor weather and initiated the descent prematurely. During the final approach, the aircraft struck an ammunition depot and crashed in a snow-covered field located 1,500 metres short of the runway, bursting into flames.
Casualties
Two passengers were seriously injured, and 20 other occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The aircraft was approaching Amderma Airport at an insufficient altitude after the crew initiated the descent prematurely. It was reported that the ILS system was unserviceable at the time of the accident.