Aircraft Crash at Minsk-1 Airport in Icing Conditions (CCCP-46807)

Accident Overview and Immediate Outcome The approach to Minsk-1 Airport began in poor weather, with a low ceiling, limited visibility, and icing conditions. On final approach, the aircraft was in a slight nose-down attitude and traveling at 140 km/h when it struck the ground. It crashed in a snow-covered field located 5,280 meters short of the runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact. ## Casualties Three passengers were seriously injured, while 11 other occupants were killed. A few hours later, two of the three survivors died from their injuries. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from a premature deactivation of the deicing systems while completing an approach in icing conditions with flaps deployed at 38°. This caused the aircraft to become unstable on its longitudinal axis and uncontrollable. The findings also noted that various flight tests to determine longitudinal stability and controllability characteristics during flight in icing conditions had not been carried out.