What happened
During a scheduled training flight intended to conclude at the Fedotovo-Kipelovo Airbase west of Vologda, the crew received instructions from a high-ranking officer to divert to a different airfield near the officer's residence. While performing a night approach to this secondary location, the aircraft encountered heavy fog.
As the flight progressed through the low visibility, the aircraft descended to an insufficient altitude. The plane ultimately struck trees and crashed before reaching the runway. There were 11 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the crew proceeded with the approach despite being under instructions to divert due to weather conditions that were below established minimums. The primary factor in the crash was the decision to continue the approach in visibility below safety limits.