What happened
On the date of the accident, a single-engine aircraft departed from Ust-Tareya Airport at 10:25 local time. The flight was intended to reach a remote airfield situated on an island along the Piasyna River, approximately 35 km from the departure point. The aircraft was carrying a total of six people, consisting of four crew members and two passengers.
Upon reaching the destination area, the pilot chose to attempt a landing near the buildings of the GGU geological expedition rather than using the established airfield. During this process, the pilot encountered significant crosswinds and challenging terrain, which prevented a successful touchdown and necessitated a go-around. Following three failed landing attempts, the pilot initiated another go-around maneuver. During this final attempt, the aircraft was configured with full flaps extended. The combination of gusty winds and a loss of airspeed caused the left wing to stall, leading to a crash that resulted in six fatalities.
Findings
Official investigations identified several contributing factors to the accident. The pilot-in-command demonstrated a lack of discipline by attempting to land on unprepared terrain despite the proximity of a functional airfield. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted improper piloting techniques, specifically regarding the decision to execute a go-around while maintaining full flaps. This configuration, paired with insufficient airspeed and strong wind gusts, directly led to the aerodynamic stall of the left wing.