Incident Details
The accident occurred during a leg from Kirov to Shurma, part of a larger flight from Kirov to Plotbishche. The aircraft was operating without passengers or cargo. Between Urzhum and Shurma, the crew encountered weather conditions below minima, characterized by snowfall and poor visibility. The aircraft also suffered from severe icing.
Loss of Control and Crash
The decision to divert to Kilmez was made too late. As a result, the aircraft went out of control due to the severe icing and crashed in a snow-covered field between the villages of Shevnino and Sanatorny. The crash site was approximately 10 kilometers east of Urzhum Airfield.
Aftermath
Upon impact, the aircraft caught fire and was completely burnt out. Both pilots on board were killed in the accident. The wreckage was found two days later, on December 21.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the probable cause of the accident was loss of control in flight due to severe icing conditions.