Polyarnye Avialinii

Antonov AN-26

On final approach to Belaya Gora Airport, the aircraft was too low and hit the ground. On impact, the right main gear and the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest in a snow covered field about 400 meters short of runway threshold and 300 meters to the left of the approach path. The propeller on the right engine was torn off and it appears that the fuselage was bent as well. All 33 occupants were evacuated safely. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were marginal with limited visibility caused by snow falls. It was reported the visibility was about 2,5 km at the time of the accident while the crew needed at least 4 km on an NDB approach.

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Few minutes after takeoff from Vilyuisk Airport, on a schedule service (flight n° PI9977) to Kyubeinde-Ugulet, while cruising at an altitude of about 400 metres, the engine overheated and lost power while the oil pressure dropped. The crew decided to return to Vilyuisk when the engine failed shortly later. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a swampy area located 26 km northwest of Vilyuisk (at N63°54.584" E121°18.048"). The main wheels got stuck in soft ground, the engine was ripped off, and the aircraft came to rest, bursting into flames. Both pilots and all 9 passengers escaped uninjured and the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.

Antonov AN-26

Following an uneventful flight from Yakutsk-Magan Airport, crew started the descent to runway 10. On touch down on a snow covered runway, aircraft landed slightly to the left of the centerline. After a course of 350 meters, left main gear hit a snow berm of 20-50 cm high. Aircraft continued to the left, veered off runway and came to rest in snow covered field with its right main gear and right wing severely damaged. All 29 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

PZL-Mielec AN-2

The aircraft was engaged in an ambulance flight from Sangar to Segyan-Kyuel and back. Because of poor weather the flight was delayed a couple of hours. At ETD, weather conditions at Sangar Airport was as follows: visibility more than 10 km, scattered clouds at 800 metres, overcast at 3,000 metres, temperature -22° C, dewpoint -23° C, pressure 765 mm Hg. Weather forecast en route included a few stratocumulus clouds between 1,400 and 1,700 metres, significant altostratus clouds between 2,700 and 3,500 metres. The mountainous area over which the Antonov was to fly moderate orographic turbulence was present in the layer from 900 to 1,700 meters, and possible downdrafts on the lee side of ridge in the same altitude range. These conditions were not reported to the crew. Then medical equipment with a weight of 400 kg and passengers arrived at the airport by ambulances. The captain expected seven passengers, but three additional passengers had arrived, without having tickets. The names were added to the passenger list and the copilot arranged the payment of the fare. No seats were available for two passengers, so they had to sit on some hand luggage in the aisle. At 04:46 UTC the aircraft departed from Sangar and climbed towards the mountainous terrain. The highest point along the route was at an elevation of 1,976 metres. The minimum safe altitude was 2,515 metres. The pilot climbed VFR and maintained visual separation from the snow-covered mountains. At an altitude of 1,300 metres the Antonov entered an area with strong turbulence. The aircraft was caught in a downdraft. In an attempt to stop the plane from descending further, power was added to nominal, then to the takeoff power. With rising terrain it was impossible to continue. The pilot decided to carry out a 180° turn to the left over downsloping terrain. This brought the plane downwind with a 30° bank instead of the recommended 20°. As a result, the rate of descent increased and after it rolled to an angle of 120°, the left lower wing contacted a cliff. The aircraft lost speed and crashed on the snow covered mountain. All 12 occupants were rescued, among them four were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Antonov AN-3

En route from Sangar to Yakutsk-Magan Airport, while cruising at an altitude of 1,000 metres in snow falls, the engine failed. The aircraft lost height and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a swampy and wooded area located 45 km from Sangar. All 13 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a river bed somewhere in Yakutia. Occupant's fate unknown.