Background
The aircraft departed Magadan-Sokol Airport on a scientific mission to Nikolayevsk-on-Amur. On board were seven crew members and four scientists tasked with measuring water surface temperatures in the Okhotsk Sea.
Accident
En route, weather conditions deteriorated. The decision to return was made too late. While cruising at an altitude of 140 meters in limited visibility, the crew initiated a right turn in a slight climb. The aircraft then struck the slope of a hill 152 meters high located on the southwest part of Utichiy Island in the Shantar Islands, western Okhotsk Sea.
Impact forces and a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft. All 11 occupants were killed.
Cause
The official investigation determined that the crew did not receive any weather bulletin for the second part of the mission and continued without suitable information in poor weather conditions. The decision to return was taken too late, and the pilots were unable to see ground obstacles due to limited visibility. At the time of the accident, flying conditions were difficult, with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain, and turbulence.