Mountain Collision Near Batagay: Crew Route Change in Deteriorating Weather (CCCP-L5554)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The aircraft departed Batagay Airport at 1142 local time, bound for Deputatsky. It carried a crew of three, three passengers, and 543 kilograms of various goods. During the flight, weather conditions deteriorated, prompting the pilot to climb from 1,400 to 2,000 meters. As visibility continued to worsen, the aircraft deviated from its prescribed flight plan by 12 kilometers. The pilot-in-command later reduced altitude to 1,300 meters, at which point the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Hadaraniya, a peak 1,468 meters high, located approximately 175 kilometers northeast of Batagay. ## Casualties and Damage The impact resulted in the deaths of four occupants and injuries to two passengers. The aircraft was destroyed by the forces of impact and a subsequent post-crash fire. ## Official Findings The investigation attributed the accident to incorrect decisions by the crew, specifically the decision to modify the route without prior permission while flying in below-minima weather conditions over mountainous terrain. Additional findings included poor flight organization, inadequate analysis of flight documentation, and a meteorological forecast that did not accurately reflect actual conditions.