Accident Overview
Shortly after departing Briakan, the weather conditions worsened. The crew, rather than returning to the departure point, decided to press on. While flying in low clouds, the aircraft strayed from its intended route, deviating 17 kilometers to the right of the prescribed flight path. At an altitude of 600 meters, the aircraft struck tree tops and subsequently crashed on the slope of a mountain at an elevation of 1,220 meters. The accident site was located near Gorny, approximately 65 kilometers northwest of Khurba Airport.
Events
Search and rescue personnel arrived at the scene one day after the crash. The pilot was killed, while all 11 other occupants sustained injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by a fire that ensued after the impact.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be poor flight preparation on the part of the flying crew, who departed Briakan without efficient information regarding the weather forecast. Additionally, the crew failed to return to the departure point when weather conditions worsened.