Accident Summary
A cargo flight operating from Moscow-Zhukovsky Airport to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with an intermediate stop in Abakan crashed into a mountain shortly after takeoff. The aircraft carried 13 passengers, 10 crew members, and a load of various goods officially listed as 30 tons. Following a night departure, the aircraft climbed to 200 meters and then encountered difficulty gaining further altitude. According to published departure procedures, the pilot-in-command was supposed to initiate a turn after flying a course of 4 kilometers, but instead continued straight. The aircraft subsequently struck the slope of a snow-covered mountain located 13.4 kilometers from the runway end. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and all 23 occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation revealed that the cargo manifest did not reflect the true weight of the load. Although the manifest stated a total weight of 30 tons, the actual weight was substantially above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). This resulted in an insufficient climb gradient, preventing the aircraft from clearing surrounding terrain. Additionally, the crew failed to follow the published departure procedures, as they did not execute the required turn at the designated distance. The investigation also noted that low visibility caused by night conditions hindered the crew's ability to locate the mountain before the collision.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was an incorrect cargo weight listed on the manifest, leading to an actual total weight substantially above the MTOW. This resulted in an insufficient climb gradient, causing the aircraft to collide with a mountain that the crew could not see due to night-related low visibility. The crew's failure to adhere to published departure procedures was also cited as a contributing factor.