What happened
A flight departing from Polotsk Airport for Chelyabinsk ended in a fatal accident approximately 12 minutes after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying two crew members and 12 passengers, was cruising at an altitude of 300 meters when it suddenly lost control. The plane impacted the ground in a steppe area situated 35 km north of Polotsk. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and 14 fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that several passengers were not properly secured for flight. Specifically, some individuals were observed standing in the rear section of the cabin, an area that should have remained locked and inaccessible to passengers. Furthermore, it was determined that all 12 passengers were under the influence of alcohol during the flight. The movement of these intoxicated passengers within the cabin likely caused a shift in the center of gravity, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable.