What happened
The operator was conducting a scheduled cargo transport from Chelyabinsk to Kuybyshev, carrying approximately 2,543 kg of assorted goods. Approximately fifty minutes after takeoff, the aircraft was approaching the Ural Mountains at an altitude of 700 meters. The crew determined that they could not safely overfly the mountain range and initiated a left turn while climbing to 1,200 meters.
Shortly thereafter, the aircraft encountered hazardous meteorological conditions, including katabatic winds, snowfall, strong gusts, and turbulence. Unable to maintain a safe altitude or clear the terrain, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. During a final left turn at a speed of 65 km/h, the aircraft struck treetops and impacted a wooded area on a mountain slope. The airframe caught fire immediately after impact.
Findings
The accident resulted in one fatality, with the female co-pilot succumbing to what was apparently a heart attack. Three other crew members escaped without injury, while one sustained minor injuries. The aircraft, identified as a Tupolev G-2 (a cargo variant of the ANT-6), was partially destroyed by the post-crash fire.