Vladivostok Air Flight 352 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight traveling from the city of Vladivostok to Irkutsk. On July 4, 2001, the aircraft, a Tupolev Tu-154M, experienced catastrophic failure while attempting to land in poor weather. The aircraft was reported to be flying through a storm characterized by heavy rain and significant turbulence. As the plane approached Irkutsk Airport, it encountered severe icing conditions that compromised its performance and led to a rapid loss of altitude.

The flight was carrying 145 people, including passengers and crew members. Tragically, all individuals on board were killed upon impact. Investigators later concluded that the primary contributing factors to the crash were the unexpected weather phenomena combined with pilot error in managing the aircraft under such adverse conditions. The cockpit crew had little time to react as the situation escalated quickly, leading to the tragic final moments of the flight.

The wreckage was found in a wooded area near Irkutsk, and the subsequent investigation revealed significant shortcomings in both pilot training and weather assessment. The crash of Flight 352 not only raised alarms about the safety protocols in Russian aviation but also prompted broader discussions regarding flight regulations and practices in the region. It served as a stark reminder of the challenges presented by inclement weather in aviation and the need for stringent safety measures to prevent such disasters.