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2012 Serov Airport Aircraft Disappearance and Recovery (RA-40312)

Serov, RussiaFlight

On June 11, 2012, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration RA-40312) operated by Avia-Zov was involved in an aviation accident near Serov, Russia in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The airplane was believed to have been flying at low altitude when its left lower wing impacted tree tops. The aircraft then rolled to the left to an angle of 90 degrees and crashed, bursting into flames. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft carrying 13 people disappeared from Serov Airport in June 2012. The burnt wreckage was found in May 2013, with official findings indicating low-altitude flight and intoxication.

Incident Overview and Search Efforts On the evening of 11 June 2012, a group of 13 people departed from Serov Airport at 2200 local time on an unauthorized flight with an unknown destination. The aircraft failed to return and was lost without trace. Local authorities conducted search and rescue operations covering more than 275,000 square kilometers until 23 July 2012, but the search was unsuccessful. ## Discovery of Wreckage On Saturday, 5 May 2013, local hunters discovered the burnt wreckage and skeletonized remains of the bodies on a marshland approximately 10 kilometers southwest of Serov Airport. ## Official Findings The official probable cause indicated that the airplane was believed to have been flying at low altitude when its left lower wing impacted tree tops. The aircraft then rolled to the left to an angle of 90 degrees and crashed, bursting into flames. At the time of the accident, the pilot and other occupants were intoxicated.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Jun 2012 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Serov, Russia?

An aircraft carrying 13 people disappeared from Serov Airport in June 2012. The burnt wreckage was found in May 2013, with official findings indicating low-altitude flight and intoxication.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Jun 2012 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 13 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Jun 2012 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration RA-40312, operated by Avia-Zov, at Serov, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The airplane was believed to have been flying at low altitude when its left lower wing impacted tree tops. The aircraft then rolled to the left to an angle of 90 degrees and crashed, bursting into flames. At the time of the accident, the pilot and other occupants were intoxicated.

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