Overview
A single-engine aircraft conducting a flight from Kevsala (Ipatovo district of the Stavropol region) to Gribnoye (Novopavlovsk district) experienced engine problems while approaching Sanamer at low altitude. The pilot attempted an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft struck a fence, crushed several trees, and came to rest against a church wall. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Incident Details
The aircraft was carrying one pilot and four oil drums. En route, while at low altitude, the pilot encountered engine difficulties and initiated an emergency landing. The sequence of events after touchdown involved hitting a fence, damaging trees, and finally colliding with the wall of a church. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the emergency landing was necessitated by an engine flameout in the air. The flameout most probably resulted from oil tank swelling that pressed the tank wall against the fuel shutoff valve lever. Additionally, carbon deposits in the vent pipeline connecting the oil tank to the atmosphere likely caused increased oil tank pressure and swelling. Several factors were identified as most probably contributing to the accident: failure to perform scheduled water washing of the oil tank and vent pipeline after 400±30 flight hours or 12±1 month of operation; aircraft maintenance conducted by individuals lacking the appropriate aircraft maintenance license; flight operation over a locality at an altitude insufficient to allow landing within its boundaries in case of aircraft malfunction; and the pilot being in a state of moderate alcohol intoxication during the flight.