Aircraft Crash Near Kherpuchi: Controlled Flight Into Terrain (RA-07743)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The aircraft was operating a flight from Poliny Osipenko to Nikolayevsk-on-Amur, with intermediate stops at Kherpuchi and Oktyabrsky. Nine minutes after departing Kherpuchi Airport, the crew encountered poor weather with low clouds. While cruising at 400 metres, the aircraft struck tree tops, stalled, and crashed in a wooded area 21.5 km from Kherpuchi, bursting into flames. ## Casualties One passenger was seriously injured, and 13 other occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The investigation determined the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors included the crew continuing at 400 metres when the minimum safe altitude for the area was 800 metres, poor visibility due to low clouds between 600 and 1,500 metres, and the crew's failure to return to the departure point when weather deteriorated. The crew also lost visual contact with the ground after deciding to continue under VFR in IMC conditions. ## Operational and Communication Issues The crew did not receive the emergency radio station and signal devices before departure. Additionally, the dispatch microphone at Kherpuchi Airport was not turned on that day, making it impossible to establish the actual instructions of the flight director. Under these conditions, the flight was not monitored.