Incident
Shortly after departure from Magadan Airport, a fire broke out in the cabin of an aircraft. Smoke quickly filled both the cabin and the cockpit, impairing visibility and creating hazardous conditions.
Sequence of Events
While climbing, the captain initiated a descent in an attempt to execute an emergency landing in the Khasyn River Valley, located approximately 10 kilometers north of Magadan Airport. However, due to the dense smoke, the pilot lost consciousness. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The entire sequence from takeoff to the crash lasted eight minutes.
Rescue and Casualties
Two crew members—the copilot and the radio operator—were rescued from the wreckage. Three other crew members were killed in the accident.
Probable Cause
Investigators determined the probable cause to be an electrical short-circuit that occurred on a power supply unit of the radio transmitter. This short-circuit initiated a major fire that the crew was unable to extinguish.