Aircraft Accident Near Mys Zhelaniya During Arctic Expedition 'Sever 7' (CCCP-N497)

Incident Overview and Context On a flight from Mys Zhelaniya in Novaya Zemlya to Dikson Island, a crew was ordered to make a landing on the ice near Mys Zhelaniya for training purposes. This operation was conducted in support of the Arctic expedition 'Sever 7'. The incident occurred on 06APR55, when the aircraft sank during a storm after the crew and passengers had evacuated the aircraft. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, or exact location beyond the general area near Mys Zhelaniya. ## Accident Sequence and Outcome During the landing run, the skis of the landing gear broke through the ice. All 7 crew members and 3 passengers escaped unhurt. The aircraft could not be recovered in time and sank during a storm on 06APR55. ## Probable Cause and Official Findings It was later reported that the ice thickness was about 30 cm at the time of the accident, which was insufficient to support the aircraft during the landing run. This finding was included in the official probable cause determination.