What happened
During a nighttime flight from Irkutsk to Chita, the crew was cruising at an assigned altitude of 3,000 meters when they encountered icing conditions. They received permission to reduce their altitude to 2,400 meters. Shortly after, at 0512 local time, the crew attempted to contact air traffic control but was placed on standby due to frequency congestion.
Two minutes later, while descending to an altitude of 1,400 meters, the aircraft struck tree tops and impacted the ground in a wooded area on the slope of Kabanya Mountain, which has an elevation of 1,479 meters. The impact forces destroyed the aircraft, and a post-crash fire broke out. All 14 occupants on board were killed.
Findings
Investigations revealed no technical issues with the aircraft's equipment, instruments, or components. Authorities were unable to determine why the crew was flying at 1,400 meters, which was below their assigned flight level. The accident was attributed to a controlled flight into terrain.