What happened
On March 7, a LI-2 aircraft with registration CCCP-N444 attempted to depart from Vorkuta Airport. Rescue operations had been initiated following the disappearance of another aircraft, but severe weather conditions, specifically heavy snowfall, grounded most available crews. Despite these conditions, one crew decided to proceed with a sortie. The runway at the airport had not been cleared and was covered in up to 30 cm of snow.
The captain instructed three crew members to sit in the rear cabin before initiating the takeoff roll. After traveling approximately 700 meters, the aircraft lifted off but failed to gain sufficient altitude due to inadequate speed. The plane passed the end of the runway, struck the roof of a house, lost an engine, and stalled. It subsequently crashed into a nearby field.
Findings
All six crew members on board were injured in the accident. The aircraft was declared a total loss and written off. The incident occurred under poor visibility and operational constraints caused by uncleared snow on the departure surface.