What happened
During an approach to Magadan Airport, an aircraft traveling from Okhotsk encountered worsening meteorological conditions. The flight was operating amidst heavy rain, low cloud cover, and visibility that had reduced to approximately four kilometers.
As the flight continued its descent, the plane impacted a stand of pine trees and came to rest in a wooded region situated 16.5 km south of the airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were 24 fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the crew initiated their descent while unaware of their precise altitude and geographical position. This lack of situational awareness, compounded by the presence of thick clouds, prevented the pilot from identifying the ground or locating the runway during the final stages of the flight.