What happened
On August 12, 2018, the pilot flew an amphibious aircraft from Ust-Ordynsky to Olkhon Island for personal leisure. The aircraft had previously performed a water landing on Lake Baikal near the village of Khuzhir. On the morning of August 13, 2018, the pilot intended to fly from the Khuzhir area to the aircraft's permanent base at Malaya Kura in the Irkutsk region. Notably, the aircraft owner had not granted permission for this specific flight.
At 10:00, the pilot arrived at the Khuzhir pier. Following an eight-hour break at a local hotel, the pilot prepared for departure. The pilot did not undergo a medical examination prior to the flight, though under local regulations (FAP-128), the pilot is authorized to self-authorize flight readiness in the absence of a medical professional. No meteorological consultation was sought from the Irkutsk Air Traffic Management Center, and no flight plans or notifications were submitted to Air Traffic Control authorities.
After conducting a pre-flight inspection and verifying fuel and oil levels, the pilot started the engines at 11:45. The aircraft, carrying no passengers, departed the pier to begin its takeoff run. During the acceleration phase on the water, the left float struck a wave crest, causing the float to detach from the aircraft type. Following the impact, the aircraft performed three left-hand turns on the lake surface before listing heavily to the left and sinking approximately 200 meters from the shore at a depth of 5 meters. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported as the pilot was alone.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the pilot's statements, eyewitness accounts, and video footage of the accident. The inquiry confirmed that the pilot had possession of the aircraft keys and performed a manual inspection of the fuel and oil levels, noting approximately 180 liters of Ai-95 gasoline in the forward tank. The investigation also noted the lack of flight plan filing and the absence of owner authorization for the mission.