Investigation Summary
The aircraft was transporting 1.5 tons of spare parts between Irkut Corporation factories in Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. During the final approach to runway 14 at Irkutsk Northwest Airport, the flight encountered adverse weather conditions characterized by snow and restricted visibility. At 9:01 pm local time, air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft. The An-12 descended below the glide path, striking birch trees with its landing gear and belly before impacting a Russian Ministry of Defence hangar. The crash destroyed the hangar, several ZIL-131 vehicles, and replacement tools stored within. A 2016 judicial investigation highlighted that the number two engine's propellers were found in a position indicative of a malfunction, suggesting that mechanical failure played a significant role alongside crew errors in managing the approach under difficult conditions.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the crash was caused by a combination of pilot error and environmental factors, including snowy weather and poor visibility. Air traffic control errors were also cited as contributory. Furthermore, a 2016 judicial review determined that a malfunction of the number two engine was a primary factor, based on the physical state of the propellers at the crash site. Legal proceedings resulted in three-year penal colony sentences for two Irkut-Avia directors for violations of air safety norms.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Engine Number Two
Post-crash analysis of the propellers indicated a malfunction occurred in this engine prior to impact, which investigators ruled as a primary cause of the accident.
Landing Gear
The landing gear was one of the first parts of the aircraft to make contact with trees during the undershoot of the runway.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was 50 years old at the time of the accident, having been manufactured in 1963 with serial number 3341509.
- 02The aircraft was initially delivered to the Soviet Air Force before being acquired by Irkut-Avia in 2008.
- 03The crash resulted in property damage estimated at over 78 million rubles.
- 04The three passengers on board were technicians employed by the Irkut Corporation: Oleg Vladimirovich Trunin (46), Igor Leonidovich Fursov (45), and Alexander L. Yakovlev (55).
- 05The aircraft struck a military hangar containing ZIL-131 vehicles and spare parts.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Criminal Prosecution
Russian authorities initiated legal proceedings under Article 263 of the Criminal Code, leading to the sentencing of two Irkut-Avia directors to three years in a penal colony for safety violations.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Engine Malfunction vs. Pilot Error
Reference ↗While initial reports focused primarily on pilot error and weather, a 2016 judicial investigation elevated a malfunction of the number two engine to a primary cause, citing propeller evidence found at the site.