Background
Since 1 February 2020, the Yak-12A aircraft registered RA-2494G was operated by the private educational institution ATC "Aviator," which held an operator certificate. A contract was concluded between ATC "Aviator" and the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Zapovednoye Pribaikalie" for the provision of aviation services, specifically aerial patrol with an observer on board.
Operational History
The Yak-12A was used for forest aviation work from April 2020 until 13 July 2020. On 14 July 2020, the aircraft was returned to the owner at his request. Until 17 June 2020, flights were conducted from the Oek landing site; thereafter, the aircraft was relocated to the Khuuzhir landing site on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal). According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), from 26 June 2020, the aircraft was periodically used for sightseeing flights. A note from the PIC's interrogation protocol on 26 August 2020 stated: "Shortly after starting work at Khuuzhir, before 26 June 2020, I had a conversation with [the owner], during which he told me to carry out flights with passengers who would want to fly on the aircraft." According to the PIC's records, a total of eight sightseeing flights with passengers were performed from 26 June 2020, including the accident flight on 17 July 2020.
Flight on 17 July 2020
On 17 July 2020, the PIC of the Yak-12A RA-2494G planned to conduct two sightseeing flights with passengers on board. The PIC operated the aircraft under a power of attorney issued by the owner on 15 June 2020. The flights were intended for aerial excursions in the area of Olkhon Island and Ogoy Island. Before the flights, the PIC did not undergo a medical examination, which was not in conflict with the requirements of FAR-128 (which allows the PIC to decide on crew fitness when a medical worker is unavailable at the landing site).