What happened
During a cargo operation departing from Yakutsk, the crew began their approach to Ust-Kuyga under polar night conditions with an outside air temperature of -51° C. As the aircraft type approached the runway threshold, it was approximately 1,150 metres from the landing point when the flight path drifted 150 metres to the right of the centerline.
Air traffic control issued an instruction to the pilot to perform a go-around; however, the decision was made to proceed with the landing attempt. During the final segment of the approach, the aircraft became unstable as its airspeed decreased to 210 km/h. This loss of energy resulted in a reduction of altitude, leading the right main landing gear to make contact with the runway surface.
The force of the impact caused the right main gear to detach from the airframe, with the nose gear subsequently failing shortly thereafter. The aircraft slid along the runway for several dozen metres before coming to a complete stop. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, all six occupants managed to evacuate the wreckage without any reported injuries.
Findings
- The flight was conducted in extreme sub-zero temperatures.
- The pilot's decision to continue the approach despite an ATC go-around instruction and the subsequent loss of airspeed led to the unstable approach and ground impact.