What happened
On June 26, 2016, at 16:05, an unauthorized flight involving an An-2 aircraft, registration RA-0480A, occurred in the Penza Region. The pilot, who had recently arrived in the area to interview for a position with the agricultural operator Agro-Trans, took control of the aircraft without authorization while company representatives were away from the base.
The pilot utilized a local dirt road to perform a takeoff. The intent of the flight was to fly over a nearby lake where the pilot had been spending time earlier that day. During the low-altitude flight over the water, the aircraft struck power lines and subsequently impacted the ground. The impact caused the total destruction of the aircraft. There was 1 fatality involving the pilot.
Findings
- The pilot operated the aircraft without permission from the operator.
- The flight was conducted at a very low altitude over a body of water.
- Collision with power lines was the primary factor leading to the crash.