13 fatalities

2012-06-11: PZL-Mielec AN-2 (RA-40312) — Avia-Zov — Serov, Russia

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 aircraft struck treetops while flying at a low altitude, likely exacerbated by the intoxication of the crew and passengers. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781194795Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft carrying 13 people disappeared on June 11, 2012, following a departure from Serov Airport; wreckage was later located in a marshland.

What happened

On the night of June 11, 2012, an aircraft departed from Serov Airport at approximately 22:00 local time. The flight, which carried 13 individuals, was an unauthorized trip to an undisclosed destination. Following its departure, the aircraft failed to arrive at its intended location and disappeared without any initial trace.

Search and rescue operations were conducted by local authorities across an area exceeding 275,000 square kilometers. These efforts continued until July 23, 2012, but yielded no results regarding the plane or its passengers. It was later reported that several occupants, including high-ranking local police officials, may have been under the influence of alcohol during the flight.

On May 5, 2013, the search concluded when hunters discovered the burnt remains of the aircraft and skeletal remains of the passengers in a marshland area. The wreckage was located approximately 10 km southwest of Serov Airport.

Findings

Investigations into the crash indicated that the aircraft type was flying at a low altitude when the left lower wing struck treetops. This impact caused the plane to roll to a 90-degree angle to the left, resulting in a crash that triggered a post-impact fire. A significant contributing factor was that the pilot and all other occupants were intoxicated during the operation.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck treetops while flying at a low altitude, likely exacerbated by the intoxication of the crew and passengers.