In February 1938, a Soviet Arctic expedition led by Ivan Papanin became stranded on pack ice.

Official reports by TASS stated that the crash was due to poor visibility and insufficient altitude.

Among the circumstances assumed to have resulted in the crash were outdated charts and human error; some rumors indicated sabotage, but no evidence was ever presented.

Recent research[3] revealed that the V6 flew off her route after the crew became disoriented in an unfamiliar area due to darkness and snowfall.

Barometric altimeters could have accumulated error while the crew was unable to maintain constant visual control of the altitude.