What happened
Following an extensive day of agricultural spraying operations for a state farm, the crew initiated a flight from Malyushitsa toward Rogotno. The aircraft was carrying the crew and two unauthorized passengers. This evening departure took place approximately nine minutes after sunset.
During the transit, the flight encountered thick fog that reduced visibility to levels below established minimums. While navigating through these conditions, the aircraft type struck trees and subsequently caught fire upon impact with hilly terrain. The crash site was located roughly 2 km SSSSW of Basino. The accident resulted in one fatality and three injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted that the crew proceeded with the takeoff after sunset without having verified the weather conditions along the flight path. Furthermore, the flight was not an authorized mission. While testing confirmed that the crew members were not under the influence of alcohol, it was determined that the passengers were intoxicated at the time of the incident. The primary factor in the crash was the decision to fly into low-visibility conditions without authorization.