What happened
The exact date and time of the accident could not be verified, as the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) received information regarding the event more than seven months after it occurred. Due to a lack of objective data, the sequence of events is reconstructed from the accounts of the pilot-in-command, representatives of LLC Voskhod, and eyewitnesses.
The flight was part of an arrangement made in Yakutsk during the July-August period, where the pilot-in-command accepted an offer from an LLC Voskhod representative to perform a flight inspection of the aircraft at no cost. The pilot obtained the necessary documentation to operate the aircraft through the company. The flight involved an An-2, registration RA-17951.
According to the pilot-in-command, there was no local air traffic controller present, and takeoff clearance was obtained via a mobile phone from the administration of LLC Voskhod. The crew consisted of the pilot-in-command and a co-pilot. No flight plan or VFR flight plan was filed for the mission.
The investigation
The investigation was significantly hindered by the absence of objective flight data and the delayed reporting of the incident. Because the report was submitted months after the occurrence, investigators were unable to determine the planned route, flight preparations, meteorological conditions, or the specific weight and balance characteristics of the aircraft at the time of the accident. The investigation relied heavily on verbal testimonies from the crew and witnesses.