Accident Overview
A flight from Alma-Ata to Arasan and return with intermediate stops at Taldykorgan and Kapal ended in an accident shortly after departure from Taldykorgan Airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
Events
Few minutes after takeoff from Taldykorgan Airport, weather conditions worsened. The crew failed to return to the airport as instructed by air traffic control. In low visibility, the crew reduced altitude to 1,100 meters. The airplane subsequently struck the slope of Mt. Eskiulmes, which is 1,504 meters high and located 30 kilometers northeast of Taldykorgan.
Injuries and Damage
Both pilots sustained slight injuries. Three passengers were seriously wounded, and three other passengers were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as determined by the official investigation, is that the crew failed to follow ATC instruction and to return to Taldykorgan Airport when the weather conditions deteriorated after departure. A contributing factor was the fact that the crew continued at an insufficient altitude in limited visibility.