What happened
On November 7, 2020, a Piper Sport, registration RA-1381G, departed from Myachkovo, Moscow Oblast, at 11:54. The flight was planned to proceed to Vzmorye, Yaroslavl Oblast, following a route via the MKAD under visual flight rules.
After takeoff, the pilot established communication with Vnukovo Approach-2. During routine progress reports, the pilot provided estimated times for passing specific waypoints, including Tarlu and Reuto. At 12:02:28, the air traffic controller informed the crew of an approaching aircraft flying in the opposite direction.
Shortly thereafter, at 12:02:52, the pilot declared an emergency, broadcasting a "Mayday" signal. The crew reported an onboard fire and announced their intention to perform an emergency landing on the MKAD highway.
The investigation
Records indicate that the flight plan had been approved by the relevant air traffic management authorities prior to departure. The investigation reviewed the communications between the crew and the Vnukovo Approach-2 controller, which documented the sequence of events leading up to the declaration of the emergency.