What happened
During a night-time ferry flight from Veliky Ustyug to Vologda, an aircraft (model not specified) entered its final approach phase under conditions of heavy fog and degraded visibility. As the crew attempted to land, the aircraft descended below the established glide path. At an altitude of approximately 20 meters, the plane collided with trees in a forested area situated just before the runway threshold.
The impact and subsequent post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. The accident claimed the lives of three crew members, while two others sustained serious injuries during the event.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed critical discrepancies regarding meteorological data. Although the actual visibility at the time of the accident was measured at 700 meters—a value significantly lower than required minimums—the flight crew had been provided with weather reports indicating a visibility of 1,500 meters.
Official findings concluded that personnel at Vologda Airport, including air traffic control and meteorological staff, had falsified weather bulletins to permit certain flights to proceed with landings. Additionally, the investigation determined that the crew failed to maintain the proper glide path, descending below the glideslope without maintaining visual contact with the runway lighting.