Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Prochookopskaya: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 2022 at 2127 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-02240
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Prochookopskaya - Prochookopskaya
MSN:
1G235-11
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6647
Captain / Total hours on type:
6647.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4871
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane was engaged in a local flight in Prochookopskaya. While attempting to land at night, the airplane collided with the cables of a power line and crashed in a wooded area, coming to rest upside down. The wreckage was found some 10 km north of the Armavir Airport. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft collided with the wires of an overhead power line, which had no night markings, with subsequent collision with trees and ground.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Inadequate experience of the pilot in night flying conditions,
- Violation of the AN-2 flight manual, which prescribes instruments night flights,
- Decision to fly at night to a landing site without adequate light equipment,
- Flying at an altitude lower than the prescribed altitude of unlit obstacles, of which the pilot was aware,
- Decision of the pilot to perform the flight in a reduced crew configuration (without a copilot).
Final Report:

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD at Dyagilevo AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 2022 at 0305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-78778
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dyagilevo AFB - Belgorod
MSN:
00834 89659
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Dyagilevo AFB (Ryazan) on a night flight apparently to Belgorod, carrying nine crew members. After takeoff, the engine n°4 caught fire. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing but the aircraft went out of control and crashed about one km from the airbase, bursting into flames. Four crew members were seriously injured and five others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Crash of an Antonov AN-30M near Olenyok

Date & Time: Jun 22, 2022
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-30001
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yakutsk - Olenek
MSN:
14 02
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
9424
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Yakutsk Airport on a cargo flight to Olenyok, carrying seven crew members and a load of 6,3 tons of food. En route, the airplane suffered a double engine failure. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a wooded area located 70 km from Olenyok and came to rest. All seven crew members evacuated the cabin, among them three were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the double engine failure is the consequence of a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Sebyan-Kyuyol: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 2022 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-17742
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Us-Khatyn – Vertikal’nyy
MSN:
1G203-03
YOM:
1983
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10700
Captain / Total hours on type:
10700.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1965
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1600
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Us-Khatyn on a cargo flight to Vertikal'nyy, carrying one passenger and two pilots. En route, weather conditions worsened and the visibility was reduced due to fog. The airplane impacted tree tops and crashed on the slope of a wooded terrain located about 46 km southeast of the village of Sebyan-Kyuyol. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination (the flight was supposed to be 2 hours and 30 minutes), SAR operations were initiated. The wreckage was found 10 days later, on July 1st, in an uninhabited area. Both pilots were killed and the passenger was found alive after he found refuge in a fishing house where he could find food.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued to fly under VFR mode in IMC conditions.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Unreasonable flight decision taken by the flight crew,
- The forecasted weather on the declared route did not ensure compliance with ATC,
- Failure of the pilot-in-command to take timely measures to return to the departure airfield or to take other actions to change the flight plan.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Ostrogozhsk

Date & Time: Feb 24, 2022
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-36074
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
75 10
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a snow covered field located in Ostrogozhsk. Russian Authorities reported that all occupants were killed.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Koryaki: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 2022 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-33599
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Koryaki - Tymlat
MSN:
1G230-41
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
17136
Captain / Total hours on type:
2388.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
376
Copilot / Total hours on type:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
3712
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Koryaki on a cargo flight to Tymlat, carrying two pilots and a load of potatoes and roof tiles. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane reached a critical angle of attack then entered a stall and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found about one km from the village. The airplane was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident probably occurred as a result of its entry into subcritical angles of attack and stall mode after a takeoff with the maximum permissible weight and reduced power of the propulsion system. Most likely, the reduced power was due to the installation of a magneto switch prior to the PM-1 magneto switch to position “1” instead of position “1+2” as required in the flight manual.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Long flight interruptions of both crew members before the emergency flight,
- Deficiencies in the training and interaction of crew members,
- Insufficient level of flight training, which resulted in a loss of control of the flight speed.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK in Irkutsk: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 2021 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EW-518TI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Yakutsk - Irkutsk
MSN:
8 34 61 07
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
14625
Captain / Total hours on type:
11182.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5168
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight, carrying two passengers, seven crew members and a load consisting of foods. While on a night approach to Irkutsk-Intl Airport Runway 30, the crew encountered poor visibility due to snow falls. On final, at a height of about 240 metres, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure when the aircraft impacted trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found about 3,1 km short of runway 30. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all nine occupants were killed.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E3 in Menzelinsk: 16 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 2021 at 0911 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-94591
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Menzelinsk - Menzelinsk
MSN:
87 18 26
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Menzelinsk for a local skydiving mission, carrying 20 skydivers and two pilots. During initial climb, the crew reported technical problems with the left engine and elected to return for an emergency landing. The aircraft lost height and eventually struck a concrete wall before coming to rest on a wood piles. Six passengers were rescued while 14 other occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26KPA near Khabarovsk: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 2021 at 1811 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-26673
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Khabarovsk - Khabarovsk
MSN:
84 08
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
11990
Captain / Total hours on type:
3276.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
530
Copilot / Total hours on type:
390
Aircraft flight hours:
36881
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a calibration mission at Khabarovsk-Novy Airport, carrying six crew members. The goal of the flight was to caliber the ILS system of runway 05R. In the afternoon, the airplane departed Khabarovsk-Novy Airport and completed several circuits over the aerodrome and the area. The crew was instructed to climb away from the airport to an altitude of 600 metres and to turn to follow the reverse approach course. However, the minimum published altitude for that sector up to a distance of 46 km was fixed to 1,200 metres. The crew continued at an altitude of 600 metres with a heading of 220° for few minutes. While initiating a slight climb and while flying at an altitude of 742 metres in poor visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the airplane impacted trees and crashed on the wooded slope of Mt Khrebtovaya (793 metres high) located in the Bolchoï Khekhtsir Mountain Range, some 40 km southwest of Khabarovsk Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was that the airplane was flying over the radio beacons of runway 05R of Khabarovsk-Novy) Airport in instrumental meteorological conditions (IMC) at an altitude of 600 metres QFE, which was significantly lower than the established minimum safe altitude of 1,200 metres QFE in the sector where the accident occurred, which led to a collision with the mountain slope and resulted in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

The following contributing factors were identified:
- Lack of current regulatory documents governing the conduct of flight inspections of ground-based flight support equipment, avionics, and civil aviation lighting equipment systems, including for airfields whose topographical features do not allow inspections to be conducted according to standard procedure;
- Unreasonable establishment of a continuous exclusion zone from 0 m to 6000 m by altitude within a radius of 99900 m from KTA for the function of signaling aircraft descent below the minimum safe altitude (MSAW), which excluded issuing a corresponding warning to a DPC dispatcher;
- Absence of the ATC Dispatcher's Work Procedure at the ATC and other documents of the ATC of EU ATS (Khabarovsk):
- procedure for ATC specialists when flying over the aerodrome's RMS;
- procedure for practical training of ATC specialist performing direct ATC under the control of ATC instructor, including their interaction and responsibility for ensuring flight safety.
- Making a decision to combine two sections of trainee navigator training without the necessary risk analysis and risk mitigation measures;
- Insufficient preliminary preparation of the crew for the overflight, including failure to take into account the terrain features (presence of zones with considerable elevation) and geographical features (proximity to the state border) of the airfield, as well as the presence in the crew of a trainee navigator not admitted to independent flights and to this particular type of work;
- Insufficient cooperation between the crew and ATC specialists when preparing and performing the overflight, including coordination by the crew and ATC specialists during the flight of the maneuver with violation of the established minimum safe altitude when performing a flight under instrumental weather conditions;
- Interference of the instructor navigator in the flight procedure (route change) without assessing the relevant risks in the absence of the pilot's control;
- Failure of the trainee navigator to comply with the operating procedures in terms of comprehensive use of aircraft equipment for precise piloting, maintenance of safe altitudes and timely informing the crew about turns, as well as lack of proper control over his actions on the part of the instructor navigator;
- Lack of control over the aircraft flight by the trainee controller and instructor controller at their minimum workload (controlling only the aircraft which had suffered a crash).
- The Operator's Flight Operations Manual lacked standard operating procedures for crew operation regarding the EGPWS Mark VIII system installed on board the aircraft. There were no warnings of this system during the flight. Probably, the system was not activated by the crew prior to the flight, maybe to avoid frequent activation during the flight. Due to the complete destruction of the system as a result of the crash, it was impossible to determine the cause of its failure. A proper use of this system may have prevent the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E20 in Kazashinskoye: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 2021 at 2251 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-67042
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Irkutsk – Kazashinskoye
MSN:
14 29 16
YOM:
2014
Flight number:
SL51
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
5623
Captain / Total hours on type:
4625.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1385
Copilot / Total hours on type:
693
Aircraft flight hours:
5481
Aircraft flight cycles:
3632
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was supposed to depart Irkust at 1435LT but the flight had been delayed for several hours. On approach to Kazashinskoye Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to the night and fog. On final approach to runway 04, at an altitude of 130 metres, the crew initiated a go-around procedure as he was unable to establish a visual contact with the ground. Few minutes later, during a second attempt to land, the crew descended to the height of 10 metres when he initiated a second go-around procedure, again for the same reason. The airplane climbed to an altitude of 400 metres then the crew made a 180 turn in an attempt to land on runway 22. In below minima weather conditions, the airplane deviated 1,100 metres to the right of the runway 22 extended path, descended into trees and crashed in a wooded area located about 3 km from the airport. Three passengers and a pilot were killed while 12 others occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the crew's non-compliance with the rules for visual flights at night, which was expressed in making an approach to land with visibility below the established minimum values, leading to a collision with natural obstacles and resulting in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The discrepancy between the coordinates of the runway thresholds at Kazachinskoe in the GPS receivers of the aircraft commander and the co-pilot and their actual values, which led to an incorrect calculation for landing ;
- The failure of the aircraft commander to make a timely decision to divert to an alternate airport despite having information about the meteorological conditions not meeting the established minimum values. The individual psychological characteristics of the aircraft commander allowed him to make leadership decisions, but in the case of their erroneousness, he did not possess the ability to correct them and was inclined to unjustifiably risky, dangerous decisions ;
- The crew's use of the autopilot in the final stage of flight, which did not comply with the Flight Operations Manual. The autopilot modes selected significantly reduced the crew's situational awareness. In fact, the descent was carried out significantly to the right of the extended runway centerline over an area that lacked light landmarks ;
- The lack of proper interaction within the crew and insufficient monitoring of flight parameters.
Final Report: