What happened
The aircraft was operating a scheduled cargo route from Kuybyshev to Saratov-Razboyshchina Airport. The flight carried a mixed load of goods with a total weight of 2,089 kilograms. As the crew approached the destination, they encountered deteriorating weather conditions characterized by fog that reduced visibility to approximately 800 meters.
Despite these conditions falling below the required minima for a safe approach, the captain elected to continue the procedure rather than divert back to Kuybyshev. During the final maneuvering phase to join the glide path, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall. The plane subsequently crashed into the slope of the Korolyov Sad ravine, located roughly 5 kilometers from the airport perimeter. Upon impact, the airframe broke apart and caught fire, resulting in the total destruction of the machine.
All six individuals on board perished in the accident. There were no survivors due to the severity of the crash and the subsequent fire.
Findings
The official investigation identified several critical failures contributing to the disaster. The primary factor was the crew's decision to persist with the approach despite visibility being below safe limits, coupled with a failure to execute a timely return to the departure airport for a safe landing.
Systemic issues within flight operations also played a role. Investigators noted poor organizational practices by the operating company and highlighted that the weather information provided to the crew was inadequate. The forecast data did not accurately reflect the actual on-site conditions, leaving the pilots without sufficient warning of the severe fog that ultimately led to the stall.