Accident Overview
On a cargo flight from Salekhard Airport to Mys Kamennyy, a single-engine airplane departed at 1903 local time. The aircraft carried 41 bottles of alcohol, totaling 800 kilograms. During initial climb in polar night conditions at a speed of 230 km/h, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto snow-covered tundra approximately 8 kilometers north of Salekhard Airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and both occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause as loss of control during night flight due to spatial disorientation. This was caused by the failure of both the AGK-47B artificial horizon and the GPK-48 gyro compass. According to the report, these instruments had already failed before the accident, though the reason for their failure was not established.
Aircraft and Operations
The flight was a cargo operation from Salekhard Airport. No further details about the aircraft type, registration, or operator were provided in the source. The polar night conditions at the time of the accident likely reduced external visual references, contributing to the spatial disorientation experienced by the crew.