What happened
A cargo mission departing from Birobidzhan Airport ended in a fatal accident after the aircraft climbed to an altitude of approximately 15 to 20 meters before performing a 180-degree turn. The flight proceeded southwest for roughly 20 kilometers. While maintaining a cruising altitude of about 600 meters, the single-engine aircraft struck treetops and crashed into a forested region, catching fire upon impact. There were four fatalities among the occupants, which included two pilots and two geophysicists. The aircraft was carrying two drums of diesel at the time of the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed several critical failures regarding flight safety and regulations. It was established that both pilots were under the influence of alcohol during the operation. Furthermore, the crew initiated the flight without obtaining necessary flight permissions and neglected to check meteorological reports before departure. The aircraft was also operating in an overweight condition; at takeoff, the total weight reached 4,900 kilograms, exceeding the maximum takeoff weight by 160 kilograms. Additionally, the two passengers on board were not authorized to participate in this specific flight.