What happened
During a scheduled flight departing from Ekimchan toward Baladek, a single-engine airplane was transporting two pilots, one passenger, and five drums of diesel fuel. The total payload weight for the mission was approximately one ton. Shortly after departure, specifically seven minutes and ten seconds into the flight, the aircraft experienced an engine power loss while cruising at an altitude of 720 meters.
Following the loss of propulsion, the aircraft descended and assumed a nose-down pitch of 18 degrees. The plane subsequently impacted a hill. The impact resulted in the death of one passenger, while both pilots sustained injuries. The wreckage of the aircraft was destroyed by fire following the collision.
Findings
Investigators were unable to definitively confirm the precise reason for the engine failure. However, the investigation pointed toward a likely failure of the fuel pump and a collector during the flight.