Accident Cause of An-2 Plane's Emergency Landing in Kamchatka Revealed
In a harrowing incident on December 19, 2024, an An-2 aircraft with registration number RA-33555 performed an emergency landing on the eastern slope of Kunkhilo Mountain. The aircraft, which belonged to a private owner, Yevgeny Mitasov from Oryol, was operated by "Fairavia" airline under lease terms.
The incident occurred during a flight from Mil'kovo Airport to Ossora. The weather station in Milkovka had provided a forecast warning of cloud cover obscuring mountain peaks and expected icing along the route on the day of the incident. However, it appears that the aircraft commander did not request this information before takeoff.
Two key decisions by the commander led to the incident. First, the commander chose to ignore the weather forecast and proceed with the flight, and second, failed to take immediate action to exit the dangerous icing zone. As a result, the An-2 entered a cloud layer and then a cumulonimbus cloud zone, causing intense icing of the cockpit and wings. The icing of the aircraft in flight led to a loss of its lifting properties, subsequent forced landing, and damage.
Fortunately, no fatalities occurred, but the second pilot sustained serious injuries. Search operations for the missing aircraft began on December 19 and were suspended on December 21 due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Mi-8 helicopter crew discovered the overturned An-2 on December 22 at 13:58.
The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK), an international organization based in Russia that investigates aircraft incidents and accidents on behalf of twelve participating states, concluded that the commander's failure to take timely action to exit the icing zone was a contributing factor. The passengers and pilots spent three days in extreme conditions, surviving by digging a snow hole and burning aviation fuel for warmth.
A criminal case was opened under Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code for violations of air transport safety rules. MAK's findings serve as the basis for legal conclusions in criminal cases related to aviation accidents.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and making informed decisions based on accurate weather information. In many cases, the aircraft commander's decisions are critical and can significantly impact the safety of a flight. Decisions such as navigation route choices, adherence to safety protocols, and response to unexpected events can all play a role in accident outcomes. For detailed information on the specific incident mentioned, it would be necessary to consult official aviation incident reports or local news sources from Kamchatka Krai.
- Despite the weather station in Milkovka providing a forecast warning of cloud cover and icing along the route, the aircraft commander failed to request this information before takeoff, which may have been a crucial factor in the subsequent emergency landing incident involving an An-2 aircraft from the "Fairavia" airline.
- The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) found that the commander's failure to take timely action to exit the icing zone was a contributing factor to the incident, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions based on accurate weather information in the aviation industry.
- The incident, which occurred on a flight from Mil'kovo Airport to Ossora, underscores the significance of adhering to safety protocols in the transportation sector, as the decisions made by the aircraft commander can significantly impact the outcome of a flight, as seen in this case involving general-news, finance (as it may affect the airline's reputation and financial stability), and aviation.
