What happened
During a scheduled mail delivery mission from Egvekinot to Anadyr, an single-engine airplane was performing its final approach into Anadyr-Liman Airport. At the time of the incident, meteorological conditions were unfavorable, characterized by low visibility and cloud ceilings descending to just 30 meters above the surface.
As the aircraft reached the final segment of its approach, the pilot-in-command observed a person walking across the active runway. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot executed a sharp turn to the right while contending with significant crosswinds. This maneuver caused the aircraft to enter a stall, leading to a crash in the vicinity of the runway threshold. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, there were no fatalities among the six people on board; all occupants sustained only minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the individual on the runway had been sent to ignite a ground fire intended to serve as a visual guide for the incoming flight. However, a critical lack of communication occurred: the flight crew had not been notified that a person would be on the runway, and the individual was unaware that an aircraft arrival was imminent.