What happened
A cargo operation destined for Yeniseysk ended in a crash during a nighttime approach under heavy snowfall. The aircraft was transporting a significant load of perishables, including over 1,000 kilograms each of sausages and meat, along with herring and oranges. During the final approach phase, the crew activated the approach lights but subsequently identified trees in their flight path. In an attempt to avoid the obstacles, the captain increased engine power to climb; however, the aircraft type struck treetops located on a hill. The plane subsequently stalled and impacted a forested area approximately 1,140 meters from the runway threshold.
The accident resulted in two fatalities among the crew, while five injuries were reported among the remaining occupants. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the impact.
Findings
Investigations revealed that several crew members, specifically the mechanic, the radio operator, and the navigator, were under the influence of alcohol during the flight. This impairment led to significant procedural failures: the flight engineer and navigator did not adhere to established approach protocols, and the navigator failed to monitor or report critical altitude and visibility data regarding ground landmarks. Additionally, the mechanic did not provide necessary airspeed or radio altimeter readings until the aircraft was only 60 meters above the terrain. The crash was driven by poor crew coordination and the captain's failure to execute a formal go-around procedure.