Disappearance and crash of Antonov An-2 RA-54790 in Irkutsk Region

3 fatalities • в районе горы Абатова (А-110°, Д-85 км от г. Кемерово)

An Antonov An-2 aircraft disappeared while performing ferry operations for pest control services, later discovered destroyed on a mountainside.

What happened

On July 30, 2016, an Antonov An-2, registration RA-54790, was engaged in a ferry flight under a state contract between the Ministry of the Forest Complex of the Irkutsk Region and LEMAKS LLC. The mission required the crew—consisting of a pilot, an aircraft technician, and one passenger—to transport the aircraft from Sarmatovo, Republic of Tatarstan, to the Talniki landing site in the Cheremkhovo District of the Irquette Region to assist in controlling Siberian silk moth outbreaks.

During the flight, the aircraft landed at the Evsino landing site of the Novosibirsk DOSAAF Aviation Sports Club at 11:40. Following this landing, the pilot communicated with the club management and realized the aircraft had landed at the incorrect airfield. The crew subsequently flew to the Berdsk-Central airfield, located approximately 40 km north of Evsino, arriving at 12:45.

On July 31, 2016, the aircraft departed Berdsk-Central at 05:01. The aircraft failed to arrive at its scheduled destination, the Mansky landing site, at 09:30. Following the failure to arrive, search and rescue operations were initiated. On August 1, 2016, at 04:12, the wreckage of the aircraft was located on the northwestern slope of Mount Abatova, approximately 85 km from the Kemerovo airfield. The aircraft was found destroyed and partially burned.

The investigation

Investigations revealed that on July 29, 2016, a representative from LEMAKS LLC had contacted the head of the Novosibirsk DOSAAF Aviation Sports Club to arrange for refueling. However, the specific name of the intended airfield was not specified during this communication.

Probable cause

A lack of specific communication regarding the intended refueling destination led the crew to land at the incorrect airfield.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-07-31 Ан-2 accident near в районе горы Абатова (А-110°, Д-85 км от г. Кемерово)?

An Antonov An-2 aircraft disappeared while performing ferry operations for pest control services, later discovered destroyed on a mountainside.

Were there any fatalities in the 2016-07-31 Ан-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-07-31 involved a Ан-2, registration RA-54790, operated by ООО «Лемакс», at в районе горы Абатова (А-110°, Д-85 км от г. Кемерово).

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A lack of specific communication regarding the intended refueling destination led the crew to land at the incorrect airfield.

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