Accident Details
A cargo flight operating from Novosibirsk to Kursk with intermediate stops at Chelyabinsk and Kuybyshev was completing its approach to Kursk-Vostoshny Airport. The crew made several errors, including starting the approach with an incorrect track. Despite the aircraft not being properly aligned on the localizer and the pilot-in-command lacking visual contact with the approach or runway lights, the decision was made to continue the descent. The airplane descended below the glide path, struck trees, and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 420 meters short of the runway threshold and 250 meters to the left of its extended centerline.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft was destroyed in the impact and subsequent fire. All five occupants on board sustained injuries.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that the crew adopted a wrong approach configuration, which caused the aircraft to follow an incorrect approach path and descend below the decision height until it struck obstacles and crashed. Contributing factors included poor crew coordination, poor flight preparation, crew fatigue due to multiple landings that day, the pilot-in-command's failure to initiate a go-around, and a lack of vertical and horizontal visibility due to low clouds, mist, and drizzle.