Accident Summary
An aircraft crashed in an open field 20 kilometers southeast of Toguchin after colliding with a radiosonde weather balloon at night. The accident resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of all 45 occupants.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed Novosibirsk-Tolmachevo Airport at 0342 local time. The crew was cleared to climb to 4,200 meters, an altitude reached at 0353. Subsequently, they were cleared to continue climbing to the assigned altitude of 6,000 meters. While flying at 5,400 meters, the aircraft collided with a radiosonde weather balloon operated by the Hydrometeorological Service. The balloon struck the windshield and nose cone, partially destroying the cockpit. The aircraft went out of control, entered a dive, and partially disintegrated at an altitude of 2,000 meters before crashing. The impact speed was 300 km/h. Some debris from the nose and the weather balloon were found more than 6 kilometers from the main point of impact. The windshield was not recovered.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the probable cause was an in-flight collision with a radiosonde weather balloon while cruising by night. The crew had apparently not been informed about the presence of the weather balloon.
Probable Cause
In-flight collision with a radiosonde weather balloon while cruising by night. Apparently, the crew has not been informed about the presence of the weather balloon.