Accident Overview
On the evening of the accident, at 1850 local time, a pilot departed Shaki Aerodrome with seven passengers. The pilot was intoxicated, and the passengers were also under the influence of alcohol. The flight proceeded northwest along a mountain range, then performed a low pass over the city of Zaqatala, where the pilot's wife was leaving. The aircraft then returned to Shaki.
Approach and Crash
While approaching Shaki, visibility was poor due to night conditions. The pilot was unable to locate the runway and elected to land several times. During these attempts, the airplane struck the ground and crashed approximately 800 meters from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed, and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the pilot was severely intoxicated by alcohol at the time of the accident.