Accident
En route from Stavropol to Simferopol, an aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 2,400 meters in icing conditions when the left engine failed. Fourteen seconds later, the right engine also failed. The crew informed air traffic control about the situation but subsequently lost control of the airplane. The aircraft entered a dive and eventually crashed into the Sivash Gulf, approximately 24 kilometers southeast of Emelyanovka, Crimea, and 10 kilometers offshore. On impact, the airplane disintegrated and the wreckage sank. All 26 occupants were killed. Recovery operations were conducted from October 24 to November 18, 1978.
Investigation
Analysis of the accident revealed that the air intakes, turbine blades, and inlet guide vanes were covered by ice. The investigation also found that the training program addressing icing conditions was not satisfactory.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause determined that the aircraft had been flying in severe icing conditions for 15 to 20 minutes when both engines stopped almost simultaneously. The flying crew failed to follow emergency procedures, and the decision to activate the engine deicing systems was taken too late, a situation that led to the aircraft becoming uncontrollable.