What happened
During a nighttime flight originating from Kuybyshev, the crew began their descent toward Surgel Airport under marginal weather conditions that had reduced visibility. During the approach phase, air traffic control notified the pilot of a leftward deviation from the prescribed path and instructed them to adjust their trajectory to follow the glide slope.
It is believed that the captain became distracted during this period. Despite failing to establish visual contact with the runway lights after passing the decision height, the captain elected to continue the approach rather than performing a go-around. At an altitude of 38 meters and a speed of 286 km/h, the aircraft passed approximately 50 meters to the left of the runway threshold. Although air traffic control issued an instruction to execute a go-around, the aircraft impacted a snow-covered field roughly 714 meters beyond the threshold and 113 meters left of the runway centerline.
The impact, which involved a positive acceleration of 4.8 g, caused the aircraft to lose its right wing and flip upside down, subsequently catching fire. The accident resulted in 20 fatalities, including the copilot, and 31 injuries.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the crew utilized an incorrect approach configuration and made the decision to proceed below decision height without visual references. Several contributing factors were identified:
- Distraction of the captain during the approach
- Failure by the crew to initiate a go-around procedure
- The approach lights remained inactive
- Reduced visibility caused by nighttime and marginal weather
- Deficiencies in flight preparation and approach planning
- Inaccurate weather and visibility information provided to the crew