Accident Details
The single-engine TR-301 aircraft departed Pevek on a cargo flight to Polyarny, carrying two passengers, one pilot, and a load of 150 kg of various goods. As the aircraft approached the destination, weather conditions deteriorated with heavy rain falls. In limited visibility, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed in the snow-covered tundra a few kilometers from Polyarny. The wreckage was found several hours later. All three occupants were injured, with the captain sustaining serious injuries.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a TR-301, a version of the Antonov An-2 without the lower wings. Modifications were performed by Tekhnoregion under manufacturer serial number TR301.21.004.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the collision with a mountainside occurred in a mountainous area during daylight under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) that did not permit Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations. The probable cause was the pilot-in-command (PIC) losing visual contact with the ground, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.
The investigation identified the following contributing factors: the decision by the PIC to proceed with the flight despite forecasted meteorological conditions along the route and at the landing site that did not permit VFR operations (due to heavy precipitation); the failure of the PIC to take appropriate measures to avoid a hazardous area when signs of dangerous meteorological phenomena became evident during the flight; conducting the flight in violation of the aircraft's operational limitations under conditions unsuitable for VFR; and the PIC's failure to make a timely decision to return to the departure airport or divert to an alternate airport when weather conditions deteriorated to levels below the minimums established for VFR operations.