What happened
The aircraft was operating a cargo flight originating in Moscow with a destination of Tbilisi, including an intermediate stop in Saratov. The crew consisted of three individuals, and the payload comprised 545 kilograms of spare parts intended for the 8th Civil Fleet based in Tbilisi. During the en-route phase, weather conditions deteriorated rapidly, leading to poor visibility caused by sudden fog.
At a very low altitude, estimated between 5 and 10 meters, the pilot initiated a return maneuver by executing a left turn without gaining sufficient height. This action resulted in the aircraft striking the ground and crashing into a field covered with 70 centimeters of snow. All three crew members sustained serious injuries during the impact. The navigator subsequently died from these injuries later that evening.
Findings
The official investigation determined that the pilot made a late decision to turn back and committed an error by flying into a patch of fog. Additionally, poor flight preparation by the crew was identified as a contributory factor to the accident.