Single-engine aircraft crash near Mt Shcherabash

2 fatalities • Izberbach, Russia • Flight

A cargo flight flying from Makhatchkala to Derbent crashed into a mountain slope during low visibility, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

A single-engine cargo aircraft departed from Makhatchkala at 12:59 local time, bound for Derbent. The flight was operated by a crew consisting of two pilots. During the cruise phase of the flight, while traveling along the western coastline of the Caspian Sea at an approximate altitude of 400 meters, the aircraft encountered weather conditions characterized by low cloud cover and restricted visibility.

While navigating through these obscured conditions, the plane collided with the slope of Mt Shcherabash, a peak reaching 521 meters in height, situated in the vicinity of Izberbach. The impact occurred at an elevation of roughly 390 meters. The crash resulted in two fatalities, as both crew members were killed in the accident.

Findings

Investigations into the accident concluded that the primary factor was the crew's decision to fly an unauthorized flight path while operating in conditions with significantly reduced visibility caused by low-hanging clouds.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew choosing to follow an unapproved route through areas of low visibility and cloud cover.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1982-03-10 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Izberbach, Russia?

A cargo flight flying from Makhatchkala to Derbent crashed into a mountain slope during low visibility, resulting in two fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1982-03-10 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1982-03-10 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-44952, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Izberbach, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew choosing to follow an unapproved route through areas of low visibility and cloud cover.

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