Accident Details
The aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 1,500 meters above the clouds in visual flight rules (VFR) mode when air traffic control (ATC) cleared the crew to descend to 400 meters. While proceeding through cloudy conditions at 950 meters, the airplane struck treetops, nosed down, and crashed in flames in a wooded area near the settlement of Privetnoye. The wreckage was later located on the slope of Mount Kharpuzyany Kayas. All 12 occupants on board were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident was the consequence of ATC errors. The controller failed to properly monitor the flight in accordance with approach procedures and permitted the crew to descend to an insufficient altitude. Specifically, the crew was initially cleared to fly at 1,500 meters instead of the requested minimum of 2,100 meters. Subsequently, ATC allowed the descent to 400 meters despite knowing that the aircraft was flying in clouds and above a mountainous area.