Accident Summary
A single-engine airplane operating a regular scheduled service from Pskhu Airport to Sukhumi departed the grassy runway at 0925 local time. The crew was cleared to climb to 2,100 meters. About 15 minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 1,450 meters in good weather conditions, the airplane went out of control, struck tree tops, and crashed in flames in a wooded area on the slope of Mt Dzishra (2,623 meters high), located 6 km south of the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed by fire, and all nine occupants were killed.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the exact cause of the accident could not be established because the aircraft was totally consumed by fire. However, a high concentration of carbon monoxide was found in both pilots' blood. Investigators believe this may have resulted from smoke spreading in the cabin due to a fire in hand luggage containing films or a possible electrical short-circuit. Additionally, the possibility that the loss of control was caused by an in-flight collision with a flock of birds striking the windshield and injuring both pilots was not ruled out.