Accident Overview
On 12 September 2012, at approximately 12:20 local time, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251, an Antonov An-28, crashed while attempting to land at Palana Airport in Russia. The aircraft, operated by Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air, was on a scheduled flight from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana.
Fatalities and Survivors
Both pilots were killed. Of the 12 passengers, 8 died and 4 sustained serious injuries. All survivors were in serious condition.
Circumstances of the Crash
The aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions. It impacted a forested slope near the airport.
Toxicology Findings
Alcohol was detected in the blood of both flight crew members.