Contract and Flight Agreement
On 1 March 2018, a contract (No. OZRK 2(09-1-0865)) was signed between Dalnerechensk Avia LLC and Omolonskaya Gold Ore Company (OZRK) for air transportation services involving passengers, baggage, and cargo. Under a flight request submitted on 13 March 2024 by OZRK, three flights were scheduled for 14 March 2024. The request was filed in accordance with established procedures.
Flight Planning and Airspace
Permission for the use of airspace (IVP) was issued by the Magadan Regional Center of the Air Traffic Management System and forwarded to the air traffic control unit at Omsukchan Airport. This permission was required for obtaining an ATC clearance when operating in Class C airspace, which exists within a 50 km radius of the Omsukchan aerodrome control point up to an altitude of 1500 m. The planned main route, however, traversed Class G airspace, where such permission is not mandatory. No violations of airspace usage regulations were identified. The proposed flight plan specified the following route: Omsukchan Airport – Nevengrekan – Sopka Quartsevaya – Omsukchan Airport. Departure was scheduled for 08:45.
Preflight Procedures
The crew arrived at Omsukchan Airport at approximately 07:35 and commenced preflight preparations. Due to the early departure time, the preflight medical examination was not conducted at Omsukchan Airport, as no medical personnel were available at that location. According to the requirements of paragraph 8.10.1 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR-128), in such circumstances, the decision on crew fitness for flight rests with the pilot-in-command. The pilot-in-command deemed the crew fit for duty, and the crew was cleared for the flight.
Medical Examination Exception
Paragraph 8.10.1 of FAR-128 stipulates that for aerial work and other flights originating from aerodromes lacking a qualified medical worker to conduct examinations, as well as from landing sites, the preflight medical examination is not performed. In this case, the flight was conducted from Omsukchan Airport, where no such medical personnel were present at the time, thus the exception applied.