Kamchatka Krai

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.

The cause of the An-26B-100 RA-26085 aircraft crash was the crew's violation of the established instrument approach procedure to Palana aerodrome, which was manifested in flying with significant deviation from the set route and descent well below the established minimum descent height (MDH) under weather conditions that excluded stable visual contact with ground landmarks, leading to the collision of the aircraft with a coastal cliff in controlled flight, its destruction, and the death of the crew and passengers.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew's failure to execute a missed approach with the acquisition of the established minimum safety altitude (MSA) when information about the bearing indicated a significant deviation of the aircraft from the established approach procedure;
- The absence in the Palana aerodrome dispatcher's work technology of actions in the presence of information about the bearing indicating a significant deviation of the aircraft from the established approach scheme, as well as the dispatcher's passivity when such information was available;
- The lack of warning signals from the early ground proximity warning system under conditions that should have triggered it. It is not possible to determine the reason for the absence of the warning signals;
- The overestimation of the barometric altimeter readings in the final phase of the flight due to the specific airflow around the steep coastline creating a low-pressure zone and the overestimation of the variometer readings, the cause of which cannot be determined.

The fatal accident with An-28 RA-28715 aircraft was caused by violation of specified approach pattern in Palan Airport resulted in outbound track and premature descending up to unauthorized low altitude performing flight in mountainous terrain in weather conditions excluding sustained visual reference with ground references resulted in aircraft collision with mountain slope, its destruction and crew and passengers fatality. Alcohol was detected in blood of both crew members.
Contributing factors were:
- Low level of discipline of personnel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Enterprise and inadequate flight methodical work in enterprises in a part of crew preflight training and approach patterns monitoring.
- Crew inaction when the radio altimeter altitude alert was actuated.
- Ground Proximity Warning System at An-28 aircraft could probably prevent the accident.

The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Following a wrong setting of the navigation system, the crew failed to follow the approach procedures and was not on the correct track for the airport,
- ATC gave a premature clearance to the crew to descent while he was not aware of the exact position of the aircraft that was not yet on his radar,
- Lack of visibility due to low clouds,
- At the time of the accident, the aircraft was off course by 23 km.

The aircraft was unable to gain sufficient speed after the crew failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist and forgot to release the parking brake.

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The crew failed to comply with approach published procedures,
- The crew descended below the prescribed minimum altitude above hilly terrain without radar control,
- The aircraft was out of the approach pattern,
- The crew failed to take corrective actions to maintain the airplane in the correct pattern and correct approach configuration,
- The total weight of the aircraft was 810 kilos above MTOW.