Accident Overview
On a scheduled flight from Arkhangelsk-Vaskovo Airport to Mezen with intermediate stops at Soyana and Dolgoshchel’e, an An-2 aircraft, registration RA-84674, encountered icing conditions. The single-engine aircraft carried 12 passengers (11 adults and one child) and two pilots. During the flight, deteriorating weather brought drizzle, and frost formed on the windshield. The crew lowered altitude from 400 to 300 meters. The captain decided to return to Arkhangelsk, but the aircraft’s speed decreased from 170 to 120 km/h. Unable to maintain altitude and speed, the crew attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Arkhangelsk-Talaghy Airport. All 14 occupants were rescued; two passengers sustained injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
Flight and Weather
The flight departed from Arkhangelsk-Vaskovo Airport en route to Mezen, with planned stops at Soyana and Dolgoshchel’e. As the flight progressed, weather conditions worsened with drizzle. Ice formation appeared on the windshield, prompting the crew to reduce their altitude from 400 to 300 meters. The captain made the decision to return to Arkhangelsk.
Emergency Landing
While returning, the aircraft experienced a drop in speed from 170 to 120 km/h. The crew found themselves unable to maintain either speed or altitude. They initiated an emergency landing, during which the aircraft collided with trees and came to rest in a forested area. The impact destroyed the aircraft. Rescue efforts successfully extracted all 14 occupants, with two passengers reported as injured.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident occurred during a forced landing necessitated by the impossibility of continuing the flight due to icing effects on the aircraft’s aerodynamic and traction characteristics. Specifically, the aircraft could not maintain altitude and speed even with the takeoff engine power setting. A contributing factor was identified: the crew’s decision to climb above 150 meters from ground level, where stratus clouds and icing had been forecast.