Fatal Mountain Collision Involving a Chartered Single-Engine Aircraft (CCCP-50547)

Incident Overview and Mission Profile A single-engine aircraft was chartered by a local hospital in Kyzyl to transport 12 passengers and two pilots to Toora-Khem. The passenger group consisted of two patients, four accompanists, and a medical team of six crew members. The flight was intended to proceed north after takeoff, with the crew cleared to climb to an altitude of 2,300 meters. ## Flight Progression and Route Change At 1245 local time, the crew reported its position over the mountains and informed air traffic control of the next reporting point. Shortly afterward, the crew decided to modify the route to follow a shorter path as weather conditions deteriorated, with poor visibility caused by snowfall. While cruising at an altitude of 2,330 meters, the aircraft struck a rocky wall that was 2,466 meters high. ## Search, Recovery, and Casualties Because the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, search and rescue operations were initiated. The wreckage was located five days later, on November 6, approximately 76 kilometers north of Kyzyl. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 14 occupants were killed.