What happened
During a cargo operation traveling from Okha to Tsimmermanovka, a single engine airplane encountered dense fog at an altitude of approximately 35 to 40 meters. Following the encounter with low visibility, the pilot attempted to execute a 180-degree turn to return to the airport. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a significant reduction in airspeed, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
The plane subsequently crashed along the shoreline of Pyervaya Bukhta Bay, situated northwest of Okha Airport. The impact and a subsequent fire caused the total destruction of the airframe. There were two fatalities among the crew members on board.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the primary factor was the loss of control and an aerodynamic stall triggered by insufficient airspeed during the turning maneuver. Contributing elements included the presence of low-lying clouds and the pilot's lack of experience operating in such meteorological conditions.