What happened
During an approach to Vinnitsa Airport, the flight crew encountered weather conditions that significantly reduced visibility. While performing the initial approach, the pilot-in-command descended to the minimum descent altitude; however, because the runway could not be visually identified, a go-around was executed.
A subsequent attempt to land was also unsuccessful and abandoned shortly after.
During a third landing attempt, the aircraft descended below a safe altitude. During this descent, the right engine made contact with trees. This impact caused the aircraft to stall, leading to a crash in a forested region situated approximately 5 km north of the airport, near the village of Stadnytsya. The accident resulted in nine fatalities.
Findings
- Low visibility due to adverse weather conditions hindered visual contact with the runway.
- The aircraft's descent during the third approach led to an engine strike with trees, which subsequently caused a loss of control.