Incident Overview
Description
The aircraft impacted a mountainside while performing a passenger/cargo flight between Us-Khatyn and Suordakh (Verkhoyansk region), Russia. The accident was caused by the fact that the PIC did not maintain a safe flight altitude in mountainous terrain, which led to the aircraft getting into strong downdrafts while flying over the leeward side of the ridge, uncontrolled descent and collision with the top of the mountain. The contributing factors, most likely, were: – insufficient analysis of meteorological conditions and the possibility of the formation of strong ascending and descending air currents in the mountains; – Failure of the PIC to take safety measures when flying in the mountains and actions in case of falling into downward air currents when crossing a mountain ridge; – the use of motor gasoline with an octane rating of less than 95, which led to a decrease in engine power; – performing a mission on the An-2 aircraft without the procedure for restoring skills and admission to flights on this type after a significant break in flights (about 15 years).
Primary Cause
Insufficient analysis of meteorological conditions and the possibility of strong ascending and descending air currents in the mountains, coupled with the pilot’s failure to maintain safe flight altitude and take appropriate safety measures.Insufficient analysis of meteorological conditions and the possibility of strong ascending and descending air currents in the mountains, coupled with the pilot’s failure to maintain safe flight altitude and take appropriate safety measures.Share on:
