Magadan – Tiksi – Chokurdakh – Magadan

On January 25, 1997 at 12:38 PM, Magadan – Tiksi – Chokurdakh – Magadan experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-26, operated by KolymaAvia, with the event recorded near Chokurdakh Republic of Yakutia (Sakha).

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

17 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 17 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 12, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach, the crew encountered limited visibility due to snow falls but the pilot-in-command was able to maintain a visual contact with the approach light system. Nevertheless, he failed to realized he descended below the MDA when the aircraft struck the ground 178 metres short of runway threshold and 77 metres to the right of its extended centerline. On impact, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest against meteo installations. All 17 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration RA-26541, MSN 47302106, year of manufacture 1975.