What happened
On the night of August 23, a cargo flight (SU22200) departed from Norilsk Airport bound for Krasnoyarsk. The aircraft was transporting six containers of cargo weighing 1,920 kilograms, along with ten passengers and a crew of six.
During the cruise phase at an altitude of 7,800 meters, approximately two hours and 18 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous failure of all four engines. In response to the emergency, the crew began a descent toward Yeniseysk Airport. While attempting to land, the aircraft lost airspeed and altitude, eventually striking treetops in a hilly, forested area roughly 17.9 km from the runway. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire.
The accident resulted in 11 fatalities, including all six crew members, while five passengers sustained serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the total engine failure was caused by fuel contamination with water. Specifically, the refueling infrastructure at Norilsk Airport contained water and sediment, which had not been properly drained or inspected prior to use. Laboratory analysis of fuel recovered from the wreckage confirmed water and sediment concentrations ranging from 37% to 88%. Additionally, it was noted that several passengers were permitted to board the flight without valid tickets, bypassing established boarding procedures.