Accident Overview
On approach to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-Khalaktyrka Airport, the aircraft encountered poor weather conditions with rain and limited visibility. The crew failed to maintain adequate altitude, and at a height of 1,500 meters, the aircraft struck the slope of a snow-covered mountain. The mountain, located 35 kilometers from the airport, rises to an elevation of 2,310 meters. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and all 37 occupants on board were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). The probable cause was the crew's decision to complete the approach under visual flight rules (VFR) mode in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).