[5][6] The head of the federal air transport agency said the plane had hit a 15-metre (49 ft) tall pine tree before it crashed, adding that there was no fire or explosion on board the aircraft before the incident.

[citation needed] According to airport officials, the plane was flying off-course by about 200 metres (660 ft) and started its descent much earlier than appropriate.

Petrozavodsk ground control said they recommended the pilots take a second approach due to the low visibility and bad weather conditions.

Those injured were initially sent to local hospitals, but it was planned to transport them on to Moscow via an Ilyushin Il-76 with doctors and psychologists on board.

The primary cause of the accident was found to be the decision by the crew to conduct the approach in meteorological conditions that were below the minimum allowed for the airfield, the aircraft, and the pilot in command.