Cargo Aircraft Crash Near Novosibirsk After Multi-Engine Failure (CCCP-11018)

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Mys Schmidta to Novosibirsk, with intermediate stops at Chokurdakh and Tiksi. The flight carried 9.9 tons of various equipment. After departing Tiksi, engine number 4 failed. The captain elected to continue to Novosibirsk on the remaining three engines because landing back at Tiksi was not feasible due to poor weather conditions. ## Descent and Crash The flight proceeded without further incident until the crew began the descent to Tolmachevo Airport. At that point, all three remaining engines lost power. The aircraft lost altitude, struck trees, and crashed in a wooded area approximately 13 km from the airfield. Four crew members were killed and two were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. ## Official Findings The investigation determined that the fuel had been contaminated with salt water (sea water). This contamination also caused serious corrosion of the fuel supply system.