On February 1, 1994, an Antonov AN-24 (registration RA-47718) operated by KolymaAvia was involved in an aviation accident near Omsukchan, Russia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by an uncleared, snow-contaminated runway surface and poor visibility of runway markings. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft veered off the runway and struck a snow bank during its takeoff roll, resulting in no fatalities but significant damage to the plane.
What happened
During the initial phase of takeoff, while reaching a speed of 170 km/h, the aircraft drifted toward the right side of the runway. The movement led to a collision with an adjacent snow bank, which caused the aircraft to cartwheel before finally coming to a stop. Despite the intensity of the impact, all 53 occupants managed to evacuate the wreckage without injury. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted several environmental factors contributing to the loss of control. The runway surface was found to be contaminated with snow because it had not been cleared before the departure attempt. Additionally, the presence of snow significantly obscured the visibility of essential runway infrastructure, specifically the edge markings and runway lighting, making it difficult for the crew to maintain proper alignment during the takeoff roll.
Probable cause
The accident was caused by an uncleared, snow-contaminated runway surface and poor visibility of runway markings.