What happened
During a scheduled training flight departing from Novosibirsk-Severny Airport at 14:00 local time, an aircraft entered a fatal descent. At the time of the departure, meteorological conditions were unfavorable, characterized by rain showers, low visibility of less than three kilometers, and cloud bases as low as 200 meters. The flight also encountered icing conditions while operating within the clouds.
While cruising at an altitude estimated between 1,200 and 1,250 meters, the aircraft was operating with its left engine non-functional. During this phase of flight, the pilot lost control of the plane, causing it to bank sharply to the left and dive into the terrain. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire near the airport. The accident resulted in eight fatalities and one injury among the occupants.
Findings
Official investigations could not establish a definitive cause for the crash. It was confirmed that the left engine was not functioning at the moment of impact and that the propeller had been placed in a feathered position. This specific engine configuration was reportedly a planned component of the ongoing training curriculum.