What happened
A special flight conducting an ice drift survey in the Chukotka Sea ended in a fatal accident during its approach to the coastline. The mission, which originated from Cape Schmidt and was destined for Pevek, involved monitoring ice conditions in the region. While flying at an altitude of approximately 100 meters, the pilot attempted a right-hand turn toward a heading of 270 degrees. During this maneuver, the aircraft type struck a rocky mountain face that rose 145 meters above the sea level. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and there were 10 fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several critical factors contributing to the collision. It was determined that the crew was operating at an altitude that was too low for the coastal approach. Furthermore, limited visibility during the mission prevented the crew from identifying and avoiding the overhanging terrain. A significant procedural error was also noted: the turn to 270 degrees was executed only 1.2 km from the coastline, whereas safety protocols required this maneuver to be completed at least 10 km away from the coast. Consequently, the late initiation of the turn made the collision with the mountain unavoidable.