Aircraft Crash at Leshukonskoye Airport in Freezing Fog (CCCP-46617)

Incident Overview and Casualties During an approach to Leshukonskoye Airport, the flight crew encountered poor weather conditions, including limited visibility caused by freezing fog. The aircraft crashed 230 meters from the runway threshold and 110 meters to the right of the extended centerline. The impact and subsequent post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft. Four crew members and 40 passengers were killed, while five other occupants sustained serious injuries. ## Approach and Loss of Control On final approach, the pilot-in-command was in an incorrect position but elected to continue below the glide path. The pilot then reduced approach speed and initiated a slight right turn. The aircraft became unstable, lost altitude, banked left, and impacted the ground. ## Official Findings The official investigation identified the probable cause as the crew's decision to continue the approach beyond the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without visual contact with the ground or runway. The pilot-in-command failed to initiate a go-around while the approach configuration was incorrect and the aircraft was unstable, thereby failing to follow published approach procedures. Contributing factors included lack of crew coordination and poor visibility due to freezing fog.