What happened
During a departure from Magadan Airport under light snowfall, the aircraft experienced significant instability, characterized by lateral rolling motions and an inability to maintain altitude. Roughly two minutes after leaving the runway, while flying at an altitude between 60 and 70 meters, the aircraft entered a stall. The subsequent impact occurred approximately six kilometers away from the airfield.
The accident resulted in 22 fatalities, including all five crew members and 17 passengers. Additionally, 10 people sustained injuries, with several of those victims suffering serious harm. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the aircraft's total weight exceeded its maximum takeoff weight by 996 kilograms. Furthermore, the crew failed to perform adequate pre-flight preparations, specifically neglecting to clear accumulated wet snow from the airframe. This accumulation of snow, combined with the fact that the plane was overloaded, led to a critical reduction in aerodynamic lift and overall flight performance.