Night Approach Accident at Almaty Airport (CCCP-75685)

Incident Overview and Flight Phase During the night, the flight crew initiated an approach to Almaty Airport in weather conditions that were below the established minima. The pilot-in-command elected to continue the approach rather than execute a go-around. As the aircraft progressed, it descended below the intended glide path. ## Impact and Casualties The aircraft struck trees and banked right to an angle of 15 degrees before crashing into a snow-covered field. The impact occurred 75 meters short of the runway threshold, with the wreckage located 600 meters to the right of the extended centerline. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. The accident resulted in the deaths of three crew members and 64 passengers, while 39 other occupants sustained injuries. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the crew decided to continue the approach in below-minima weather conditions at night. The pilot-in-command failed to make the decision to go around. Poor air traffic control assistance was identified as a contributing factor to the accident.