Incident
On a leg from Mys Kosistyy to Khatanga during a flight from Pevek to Moscow, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed flight path by 38 kilometers to the left. The crew initiated a premature descent while flying in limited visibility of 8 kilometers due to polar night, cloud cover, and snowfall. The twin-engine aircraft struck the slope of a 340-meter-high hill located approximately 65 kilometers from Khatanga Airport. After impact, the aircraft traveled about 400 meters before coming to rest upside down and catching fire. Rescue teams arrived on the scene a day later, on December 31. One passenger sustained serious injuries, while all 16 other occupants were killed.
Investigation
The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from navigation errors committed by the flying crew, which caused the aircraft to deviate 38 kilometers left of the planned route. The captain began the descent prematurely, leading to a collision with the hill. The decision by operations to change the navigator at the last minute may have contributed, due to a possible lack of compatibility between the captain and the navigator. Additionally, deficiencies were identified in the organization of polar operations and flight management.