Night Approach Accident at Murmansk Airport (CCCP-45086)

Incident Overview and Approach Conditions The aircraft completed an uneventful flight from Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport before beginning a night approach to Murmansk Airport. The approach was conducted in poor weather conditions caused by snowfall. After passing the middle marker, the aircraft was positioned 400 meters to the left of the approach path when visibility suddenly decreased due to a snow squall. ## Impact and Casualties While below the glide path, the captain misinterpreted ground lights and increased the rate of descent. The aircraft struck the icy surface of Kilp Yavr Lake, located 1.5 kilometers short of runway 31. The impact caused the left wing to be lost, and the aircraft came to rest in shallow water approximately 1,562 meters short of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed. Of the occupants, 32 were evacuated, while 32 others were killed. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation attributed the accident to a combination of factors: poor weather conditions upon arrival with a sudden deterioration of visibility; a wrong decision by the crew to descend below the glide path; and a lack of air traffic control assistance, along with wrong instructions transmitted to the crew during the final approach procedure.