Incident Overview
On a scheduled flight from Srednekolymsk Airport to Orlovo, a single-engine airplane departed at 1147 local time with 12 passengers and two pilots on board. Initial weather conditions were excellent, with visibility reported at 50 kilometers.
Weather Deterioration and Flight Path
Approximately 19 minutes into the flight, weather conditions worsened significantly, with fog reducing visibility to below 1,000 meters. Rather than returning to the departure airport, the crew chose to continue the flight. They descended in an attempt to establish visual contact with the ground but were unsuccessful. For the next 46 minutes, the crew circled in the vicinity of Orlovo, trying to locate the landing field without success. Eventually, they decided to return to Srednekolymsk.
Engine Failure and Accident
During the approach to Srednekolymsk Airport, the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft crashed 4 kilometers short of the runway. All 14 occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. The crew failed to return to the departure airport when weather conditions worsened with visibility below minimums, and the remaining fuel quantity was insufficient for the entire flight.