Flight Background
On 3 July 2015 at 15:05, a Kodiak 100 airplane (registration N642RM) landed at Pskov Airport (Russia) after departing from Riga Airport (Latvia). The aircraft was being ferried from the United States to Krutitsy landing site, located approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Ryazan, Russia. Following arrival, the flight crew and passengers completed border and customs formalities. The airplane remained at Pskov Airport under the custody of AASS of Pskovavia (JSC) from 3 July until 6 July 2015.
On 6 July 2015 at 08:00, the flight crew—comprising a pilot-in-command and a first officer—arrived at Pskov Airport to resume the ferry flight. The PIC planned to fly the aircraft from Pskov to Krutitsy that day. In violation of FAP MA CA and FAP-128 requirements, both crew members did not undergo a preflight medical check, despite the availability of medical services at the aerodrome.
Accident Sequence
Prior to takeoff, both pilots were seated in the cockpit: the PIC in the left seat and the first officer in the right seat. Both were secured with safety belts. At 13:15:30, the PIC initiated takeoff from Pskov Airport with a magnetic heading of 190°. According to the flight crew's explanatory reports, during the climb with a left turn, the aircraft experienced engine difficulties. The crew then configured the airplane for gliding and attempted to restart the engine in flight, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Before the emergency landing, the crew shut off the fuel supply and de-energized the aircraft.
The forced landing occurred at 13:18 in a marshy area with bushes and scattered trees. The aircraft sustained significant damage during the landing. No fire occurred either in flight or on the ground. At 13:21:21, the first officer reported the forced landing to an air traffic controller using the aircraft's radio. Pskov First-Aid Station offered assistance, but the flight crew declined, stating they had no injuries.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident occurred during a forced landing to a forest area. The flight crew attributed the need for the forced landing to a loss of engine power in flight. However, examinations of the engine, rotor, and fuel system did not reveal any malfunction that could have caused the power loss. The FDIS SD data card from the central display, which stored all recorded power plant flight parameters, was lost, preventing a full assessment of engine operability and the flight crew's actions.