Accident
A single-engine airplane was conducting a flight from Ekimchan to Baladek with two pilots and one passenger on board. The aircraft carried five drums of diesel fuel, totaling one ton in weight. Approximately seven minutes and ten seconds after departing Ekimchan, while cruising at an altitude of 720 meters, the engine suddenly lost power. The airplane began to descend, adopting a nose-down pitch of 18 degrees, and eventually collided with a hill. The impact ignited a fire that destroyed the aircraft. The two pilots suffered injuries, and the passenger was killed.
Investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and operational data to determine the cause of the engine failure. Despite their efforts, the exact reason for the power loss could not be established with certainty. However, the investigation team concluded that the fuel pump and a collector probably failed in flight, leading to the loss of engine power.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause, as determined by investigators, states that although the precise origin of the engine failure remains uncertain, it is believed that the fuel pump and collector likely malfunctioned during the flight.