What happened
On the day of the accident, the aircraft was stationed at Khabarovsk Airport, where it was subjected to severe weather conditions involving wind gusts reaching 86 km/h. The crew departed from Khabarovsk at 11:58 local time, intending to fly to Magdagachi. During the taxi and takeoff phases, the flight continued to encounter high-velocity winds.
While maintaining a cruising altitude of approximately 2,100 meters at 12:35 local time, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. The plane entered a dive and struck the northwestern slope of Mt Poktoi, situated roughly 30 km west of Birobidzhan. Following the disappearance, search and rescue efforts were launched but were later terminated after no debris or survivors could be located. It was not until June 1958 that wreckage was discovered on a steep 45-degree terrain. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in zero survivors and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary reason for the accident was the failure of the rudder, which became detached during flight. This mechanical failure originated from the intense wind gusts the aircraft experienced while parked at Khabarovsk Airport prior to departure.