Accident Overview
A single-engine aircraft departed Milkovo Airport at 1235 local time for a return flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The aircraft carried eight passengers and a crew of three. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) at an altitude estimated between 1,200 and 1,300 meters. Approximately one hour into the flight, weather conditions worsened with low clouds and rainfall. The aircraft subsequently collided with the slope of a mountain located approximately 18 kilometers northwest of Koryak. When the aircraft failed to arrive at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport, search and rescue operations were initiated. The wreckage was located three days later in an isolated area. All 11 occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the flying crew to adhere to published and prescribed procedures while flying under VFR in adverse weather conditions.