Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a single-engine aircraft conducting a geophysical survey mission in the western part of Aldan, Yakutia, crashed under circumstances described in the official investigation. The flight had been returning eastward at the end of the mission when it struck tree tops and caught fire in a densely wooded area approximately 145 km west of Aldan.
Flight Details
The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 1,046 meters while heading towards the sun (face to the sun). Visibility at the time was reduced to one kilometer due to clouds. The impact with trees and subsequent fire resulted in the immediate deaths of the captain and flight engineer. The flight operator and navigator sustained injuries and initially walked away from the crash site to seek help. After walking about four kilometers, the navigator succumbed to his injuries. His body was discovered thirteen days later on July 18. The flight operator eventually found assistance and was evacuated to a local hospital.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the crew failed to take into consideration the high outside air temperature (23°C) and its effect on the aircraft's rate of climb and performance. The following factors were considered contributing: the crew did not conduct a reconnaissance flight prior to the mission, the flight was conducted while flying against the sun, and there was poor flight preparation.