Arctic Survey Aircraft Sinks After Ski Landing on Drifting Ice (CCCP-62566)

Mission Overview and Departure A single-engine aircraft departed from Chokurdakh Airport with a total of nine people on board. The group consisted of four scientists and a crew of five. The primary objective of the mission was to identify suitable landing zones in the Arctic region and the Laptev Sea. ## Incident and Outcome During the operation, the aircraft made a landing on a drifting icy floe. Upon touchdown, the skis penetrated the ice surface, causing the aircraft to come to rest in the water. All nine occupants were able to escape the sinking aircraft without sustaining any injuries. The aircraft subsequently sank and was declared lost.