Incident Overview
Minutes after departing Norilsk-Valek Airport, the weather conditions worsened, resulting in low clouds and poor visibility. The captain made a late decision to return to the airport. While executing a turn in clouds, the aircraft collided with the rocky slope of Mount Kulgakhtakh, located 40 kilometers southeast of Valek Airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 18 occupants sustained injuries.
Sequence of Events
The flight took off under visual flight rules (VFR). Shortly into the flight, the visibility decreased due to low cloud cover, making continued VFR flight unsafe. The captain decided to turn back, but the decision was made too late to avoid the deteriorating conditions. During the turn, while still within clouds, the aircraft impacted the mountainous terrain.
Investigation Findings
According to the official investigation, the probable cause was the crew's decision to continue operating under VFR mode in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), where visibility was below the required minimums. Additionally, air traffic control had cleared the crew for takeoff without being aware of the actual weather conditions along the intended route.
No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or operator were provided in the initial report.