M-12 Kasatik crash during approach near Kuban

No fatalities • в районе населенного пункта Восточный (Белореченского района) Краснодарского края

An M-12 Kasatik aircraft carrying three people crashed into a forest during an unauthorized flight on September 4, 2015.

What happened

On September 4, 2015, at 15:24, an M-12 Kasatik, registration RA-2402G, departed from a site located at a crushing and sorting plant. The flight was intended to relocate the aircraft to the Aeroclub LLC airfield. The pilot, acting on behalf of the aircraft owner, was accompanied by two passengers.

The flight took place within Class C airspace, but no flight plan had been filed, and no request to use the airspace was submitted. Air traffic control services at the Kuban Center of Air Traffic Management reported they had no prior information regarding the flight of RA-2402G on that date. No flight planning or maintenance services had been arranged for this operation.

At 15:26, while performing the third turn during the approach to landing over a forested area, the aircraft experienced a sudden and sharp increase in bank angle. In an attempt to correct the roll, the aircraft descended to an altitude approximately equal to the height of the trees. The pilot activated the aircraft's rapid emergency parachute landing system. However, during the descent, the aircraft struck trees, resulting in the destruction of the airframe. The accident resulted in 3 injuries of varying severity among the crew and passengers. No fire occurred following the impact.

The investigation

Investigators determined that the flight was conducted without prior coordination with air traffic control services. The Kuban Center of Air Traffic Management confirmed that the flight was not registered in their systems and that no flight planning or operational support had been coordinated for the movement of the M-12 Kasatik.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and struck trees because the pilot failed to maintain altitude while attempting to correct a sharp bank during the approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-09-04 М-12 "Касатик" (ЕЭВС) accident near в районе населенного пункта Восточный (Белореченского района) Краснодарского края?

An M-12 Kasatik aircraft carrying three people crashed into a forest during an unauthorized flight on September 4, 2015.

Were there any fatalities in the 2015-09-04 М-12 "Касатик" (ЕЭВС) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-09-04 involved a М-12 "Касатик" (ЕЭВС), registration RA-2402G, at в районе населенного пункта Восточный (Белореченского района) Краснодарского края.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and struck trees because the pilot failed to maintain altitude while attempting to correct a sharp bank during the approach.

Loading the flight search…