What happened
A cargo operation traveling from Ust-Kut to Kirensk ended in a fatal accident during the takeoff phase. The aircraft, carrying a crew of three along with two technicians and two cargo handlers, was transporting 1,200 kg of freight. During the departure from runway 30, the aircraft reached a rotation speed of 155 km/h at a 15° angle of attack.
As the plane climbed to an altitude of approximately 120 metres while maintaining a speed of 210 km/h, the pilot retracted the flaps. This action caused the aircraft to lose altitude and descend into a treeline. The impact occurred roughly 1,500 metres beyond the end of the runway, causing the plane to catch fire. Of the six people on board, six fatalities were recorded after the co-pilot succumbed to his injuries following initial serious trauma.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the crew performed an expedited taxi and departure without completing necessary pre-flight checklists. Several technical and procedural errors contributed to the loss of control:
- The crew failed to properly prepare for the flight, including a failure to heat the cabin before takeoff.
- An incorrect altimeter setting was used, with the left instrument set 10 mm Hg higher than required.
- The stabilizer trim was incorrectly configured at -6° instead of the mandatory -3.6°.
- The flaps were raised at a speed 20 km/h below the minimum requirement specified in the Flight Manual.
- The rotation process was finished too early.
- Environmental factors, including poor visibility and a lack of ground visual references, further complicated the flight.