Flight Details
The aircraft was conducting a cargo flight from Yakutsk to Olyokminsk. The cargo included 70 kg of mail, 494 kg of garlic, spare parts, a welding machine, a screen, and radio equipment, with a total weight of 1,476 kg.
Accident Sequence
While descending to Olyokminsk, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. They visually followed the Sinyaya River instead of the Lena River. As a result, the aircraft descended prematurely and had insufficient altitude while passing the outer marker. The aircraft struck trees and crashed on the slope of a wooded hill 434 m high, located 25 km short of the runway threshold.
Aftermath
The wreckage was found a day later. All four crew members were killed.
Investigation Findings
The probable cause was determined to be that the crew, unable to determine their exact position based on the estimated time of arrival (ETA), erroneously followed the Lena River. This led to a premature descent and collision with trees. Additionally, air traffic control (ATC), unable to assist the flight by radar in marginal weather conditions, unreasonably gave permission to the crew to perform a straight-in approach based solely on the crew's report.