What happened
On the morning of March 18, an An-26B operated by Exin Co departed Helsinki at 09:46 local time, destined for Tallinn. The aircraft, flying as flight EXN3589, was carrying a total of six people, including four crewmembers, a mechanic, and a cargo attendant. The takeoff weight was recorded at 23,954 kg.
While climbing, the crew experienced significant engine vibration and smoke in the cockpit after reducing power. The engine chip detector light activated, prompting the flight engineer to shut down the left engine. In an attempt to maintain thrust, the captain tried to restart the RU 19-300 APU, but these efforts were unsuccessful. During the subsequent approach, air traffic control observed the aircraft deviating from its lateral and vertical flight path.
As the aircraft approached the runway, it was not properly configured for landing. The landing gear was extended and then retracted, and the flaps were moved to 10 degrees before being retracted again. The aircraft performed a high-speed, low-altitude pass over the runway. Following the runway, the crew applied full power to the right engine, causing the plane to climb slightly before turning left. The aircraft crossed a highway at approximately 30 feet, struck treetops near the lake shore, and performed a crash-landing on the snow and ice of a lake waterline. The aircraft slid 151 meters across the thick ice before stopping. There were zero fatalities as all occupants escaped the aircraft through the main door immediately following the impact.
Findings
Data from the flight recorders indicates that the crew struggled to maintain the correct approach path due to the engine issues and failed APU restart. The crew failed to execute a go-around despite the unstable approach and the presence of engine malfunctions.