Incident Overview
A cargo flight en route from Irkutsk to Khabarovsk, with an intermediate stop in Chita, crashed into the slope of Mount Cherskogo during a night approach to Chita-Kadala Airport. The aircraft was carrying a load of brake linings and hoses with a total weight of 3,031 kilograms. The accident occurred 11 kilometers short of the runway threshold. The wreckage was located 170 meters below the summit of the mountain. All five crew members aboard were killed.
Investigation
The official investigation determined that the crew began the descent prematurely for reasons that remain unknown. At the time of impact, the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 700 meters, whereas the required altitude for that location was 1,200 meters. The lack of visibility due to nighttime conditions prevented the crew from seeing the mountain in time to avoid the collision. Additionally, the investigation noted that air traffic control (ATC) assistance provided to the crew was inappropriate, which was considered a contributing factor to the accident.
Probable Cause
For unknown reasons, the crew initiated the descent prematurely, resulting in an insufficient altitude of 700 meters instead of the required 1,200 meters when the aircraft struck the mountain. The absence of visibility due to night conditions hindered the crew's ability to detect the terrain. Furthermore, inappropriate ATC assistance was identified as a contributing factor.