What happened
A flight departing from Arkhangelsk-Vaskovo Airport toward Mezen, which was scheduled to include stops at Soyana and Dolgoshchel’e, encountered severe weather during its journey. The aircraft was transporting two pilots and 12 passengers, including one child. As the flight progressed, drizzle began to fall, leading to the accumulation of frost on the cockpit windshield.
In response to the reduced visibility, the crew lowered the flight altitude from 400 metres to 300 metres. During this period, the aircraft's airspeed decreased significantly, dropping from 170 km/h to 120 km/h. The captain initiated a decision to return to the departure airport; however, the aircraft was unable to sustain its necessary speed and altitude. While attempting an emergency landing, the plane struck trees and crashed in a forested region situated approximately 50 km northeast of Arkhangelsk-Talaghy Airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- The accumulation of frost on the windshield significantly impacted visibility and flight stability.
- A critical loss of airspeed prevented the crew from maintaining the required flight profile.
- All 14 people on board were successfully rescued, though the incident resulted in two injuries among the passengers.