What happened
On the date of the incident, an aircraft operated by the Azost Flying Club departed from Azov-Almaz Airfield. The flight was being conducted for the purpose of skydiving, with the crew and passengers consisting of one pilot and 12 skydivers.
During the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot tried to maneuver the plane back toward the airfield for an emergency landing. However, the aircraft was unable to maintain sufficient altitude and descended into an open field situated near the airport.
Upon impact, the aircraft caught fire, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. Despite the intensity of the flames, all 13 people on board were successfully rescued from the wreckage. Among the occupants, one passenger sustained minor injuries.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the loss of engine power during the climb.