What happened
A cargo operation scheduled to fly from Moscow to Yakutsk via Amderma, Khatanga, and Magadan ended in a fatal accident near Amderma. The aircraft was transporting a payload of approximately 10,776 kilograms of fruit, including lemons, pears, and grapes. After departing from Sheremetyevo Airport without incident, the crew began their approach to Amderma and received clearance to descend to an altitude of 600 meters.
During the straight-in approach, while maintaining high airspeed with the landing gear and flaps retracted, the aircraft experienced a sudden left bank of approximately 40 degrees. The plane subsequently struck a prairie roughly 15 kilometers before reaching the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, leaving debris spread across an area measuring 540 meters in length and 180 meters in width. There were 12 fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
While investigators could not establish a definitive reason for the crash, two primary theories were considered. One possibility involves the accumulation of ice on the wings and stabilizers, which may have disrupted aerodynamic stability. Alternatively, the loss of control might have been triggered by a mechanical failure within the autopilot system.