Incident Overview
On a flight from Milkovo to Khalaktyrka in support of a geological expedition, the crew encountered below-minima weather conditions, with visibility limited to 10 km and snowfall. Despite the deteriorating weather, the crew decided to continue the flight and deviated from the prescribed flight path to the left by 17 km. The aircraft subsequently crashed at a height of 589 metres into the cloud-covered summit of a hill (594 metres) located in Mys Nalycheva, approximately 45 km northeast of Khalaktyrka. The wreckage was found a day later, and all three occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident: the crew decided to continue the flight despite the deterioration of the weather conditions. Two contributing factors were identified. First, air traffic control (ATC) failed to ask the crew to return to Milkovo or to divert to another airport. Second, meteorologists failed to inform the crew about the deterioration of the weather conditions.
The accident underscores the challenges of operating in remote areas with limited weather reporting. The deviation from the prescribed flight path and the subsequent collision with terrain highlight the critical importance of adhering to flight plans and meteorological advisories.