Aircraft crash on Mount Yamantau during geological survey mission

6 fatalities • Mt Yamantau, Russia • Flight

A six-person crew and passenger flight crashed into the slopes of Mount Yamantau while conducting aerial prospecting work near Inzer.

What happened

On the morning of the accident, an aircraft departed from Beloretsk at 07:09 local time. The mission was a prospection flight for the Ural Geological Administration's logging program, traveling toward the Inzer region. On board were three crew members and three passengers.

At approximately 07:30 local time, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control to report the aircraft's current position and to indicate that aerial survey operations were about to begin. During the mission, the aircraft was flying through cloud cover at altitudes ranging between 400 and 600 meters above the ground. While navigating this terrain, the plane struck the eastern slope of Mount Yamantau, a peak reaching 976 meters in height, located roughly 35 km east of Inzer.

Following the loss of communication and the aircraft's failure to return to its base, search and rescue teams were deployed. Two days after the disappearance, rescuers located the burnt remains of the wreckage approximately 70 meters below the mountain summit. The accident resulted in six fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations concluded that the crash was caused by a loss of altitude control triggered by encountering orographic currents near the Mount Yamantau terrain. Although the crew attempted to compensate for these atmospheric conditions by increasing engine power, they were unable to maintain sufficient control of the aircraft.

Probable cause

The aircraft lost altitude control after encountering mountain-induced air currents while flying in low visibility.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1975-09-15 Antonov AN-2 accident near Mt Yamantau, Russia?

A six-person crew and passenger flight crashed into the slopes of Mount Yamantau while conducting aerial prospecting work near Inzer.

Were there any fatalities in the 1975-09-15 Antonov AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1975-09-15 involved a Antonov AN-2, registration CCCP-35501, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Mt Yamantau, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft lost altitude control after encountering mountain-induced air currents while flying in low visibility.

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