Incident
An aircraft traveling between two Antarctic research stations encountered severe weather conditions during a 2,020 km flight from Molodezhnaya Ice Station to the Mirny Ice Station. The crew faced icing conditions and descended to an altitude of 1,500 meters after encountering strong headwinds reaching up to 140 km/h. The headwinds caused a reduction in airspeed and an increase in fuel consumption, leading to a fuel shortage.
With insufficient fuel to reach the destination, the crew attempted an emergency landing on the Philippi Glacier, approximately 240 km west of the Mirny Ice Station (coordinates S66.833 E88.00). However, whiteout conditions prevailed, and the aircraft crashed into the glacier's surface. The impact completely destroyed the aircraft.
Aftermath
All six occupants on board were killed in the crash. The wreckage was discovered several days later by search teams.
Probable Cause
Official findings attributed the accident to fuel exhaustion resulting from strong headwinds and the emergency landing attempt in whiteout conditions.