What happened
During a nighttime cargo operation from Omsk to Surgut, an aircraft carrying 12 tons of construction equipment and two passengers was performing its final approach. The flight was operated by a crew consisting of 12 members, including six reserves. While flying at an altitude of approximately 400 meters and maintaining a speed of 330 km/h, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The plane crashed into flames roughly 15 km before reaching the runway at Surgut Airport. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and 14 fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the flight was operating in severe icing conditions. Although the crew had engaged all available de-icing systems, a valve failure rendered the equipment ineffective. This malfunction led to an extreme buildup of ice across the wings, the fuselage, and all four engines, which ultimately caused the loss of aerodynamic control.