What happened
During an afternoon aerial spraying mission over a forested region, a single-engine aircraft departed from Yeniseysk with two pilots on board. Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, while the aircraft was performing its third pass at an altitude of roughly 400 meters, smoke began to fill the cockpit. In response to the smoke, the crew initiated a return flight to Yeniseysk.
Shortly after the decision to return, the engine suffered a loss of power. During this period, fuel leaked from the engine and coated the windshield. To prepare for an emergency landing, the crew lowered the aircraft's altitude to 50 meters and reduced the airspeed to 85 km/h. With the flaps extended to 45 degrees, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a forest approximately 75 km north of Yeniseysk. The impact resulted in two injuries and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- An engine failure occurred following the appearance of smoke in the cockpit.
- A fuel leak from the engine onto the windshield hindered visibility during the emergency descent.