Accident Overview
A crew conducting a training mission was en route to their scheduled return to Fedotovo-Kipelovo Airbase near Vologda when the commander, Colonel Ivan Gladkov, ordered a diversion to an airbase located near his home.
Approach and Impact
The approach occurred at night under foggy conditions. The crew failed to maintain awareness of their altitude, and the aircraft struck trees before crashing short of the runway. All 11 occupants on board were killed.
Probable Cause
Official findings state that the crew was instructed to divert to another airfield because the approach was initiated in weather conditions below minima. However, the crew ignored these instructions and continued the approach until the final impact.