Accident Details
The accident occurred on a service flight from Prokhorkino to Aleksandrovskoye, with intermediate stops planned at Novonikolskoye and Nazino. The aircraft, a single-engine type, departed Prokhorkino at 1634 local time. Weather conditions at the time were described as poor, with clouds, snowfall, and visibility estimated between 3 and 5 kilometers.
Approximately eight minutes after takeoff, the airplane went out of control and crashed into an icy lake located 20 kilometers northwest of Prokhorkino. The ice on the lake was reported to be 60–70 cm thick. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and all four occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
Official investigators were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident with certainty. However, the investigation considered possible factors leading to the loss of control. One possibility is that the crew misinterpreted the artificial horizon while cruising in limited visibility due to snowfall. Another potential factor is spatial disorientation experienced by the pilots.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated by the official findings, could not be determined with certainty. Possible contributing elements include a wrong interpretation of the artificial horizon in low-visibility conditions and spatial disorientation.