Accident Details
A flight from Semipalatinsk to the Semipalatinsk-21 nuclear test site was conducted at night. The pilot decided to divert to Chagan due to below-minima weather conditions, which included snowfall and poor visibility. However, the commander of the test site, who was on board, insisted on landing at Semipalatinsk-21. The crew continued the approach but encountered a snow flurry with zero visibility on final approach. The aircraft crashed close to the runway, broke into two parts, and caught fire. Two crew members were seriously injured, while all seven other occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the approach was continued below minima weather conditions with no visual contact with the runway.