Crash of an Antonov AN-26B-100 in Palana: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 2021 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-26085
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Palana
MSN:
123 10
YOM:
1982
Flight number:
PTK251
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Captain / Total flying hours:
3300
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1253
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1091
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport at 1257LT on a schedule service (flight PTK251) to Palana, carrying 22 passengers and a crew of six, among them Olga Mokhiriova, chief of the municipality of Palana. At 1439LT, the crew contacted Palana ATC and was cleared to start the descent at 1450LT. While completing an NDB approach to runway 29, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with fog and ceiling at 300 metres. Too low, the aircraft impacted terrain about 4 km northwest of the airport. The wreckage was found in the evening on the top of a rocky wall. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and debris fall down on the sea bank. All 28 occupants were killed.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Palana: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 2012 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-28715
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Palana
MSN:
1AJ006-25
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
PTK251
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
8955
Captain / Total hours on type:
7732.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6543
Copilot / Total hours on type:
6347
Aircraft flight hours:
11947
Aircraft flight cycles:
8891
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the crew started the descent to Palana Airport Runway 11 from the south. In marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft descended too low, impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located on Mt Pyatibratka. The wreckage was found at a height of 216 meters some 10 km south of the airport. Both pilots and 8 passengers were killed while four other passengers were seriously injured. Thea aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.
Probable cause:
The fatal accident with An-28 RA-28715 aircraft was caused by violation of specified approach pattern in Palan Airport resulted in outbound track and premature descending up to unauthorized low altitude performing flight in mountainous terrain in weather conditions excluding sustained visual reference with ground references resulted in aircraft collision with mountain slope, its destruction and crew and passengers fatality. Alcohol was detected in blood of both crew members.
Contributing factors were:
- Low level of discipline of personnel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Enterprise and inadequate flight methodical work in enterprises in a part of crew preflight training and approach patterns monitoring.
- Crew inaction when the radio altimeter altitude alert was actuated.
- Ground Proximity Warning System at An-28 aircraft could probably prevent the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Palana

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-26049
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Palana – Pakhachi
MSN:
109 02
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Palana Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain speed. The crew decided to abort but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and rolled for about 400 metres before coming to rest against a snow bank. All nine occupants were injured, three of them seriously.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was unable to gain sufficient speed after the crew failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist and forgot to release the parking brake.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Palana

Date & Time: May 12, 1994
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-28713
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Palana
MSN:
1AJ006-23
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach and landing at Palana Airport were completed in strong crosswinds. The twin engine aircraft landed hard and was apparently damaged beyond repair due to structural damages. All 12 occupants evacuated safely.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP off Palana: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1981 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-29354
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Palana - Lesnaya
MSN:
1G77-37
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
9283
Circumstances:
The crew departed Palana on a flight to Lesnaya. Approaching Lesnaya, weather conditions were poor and due to limited visibility, the crew was unable to locate the landing zone and decided to return to Palana. While flying at an altitude below 50 meters, the pilot-in-command initiated a right turn when the airplane lost height and crashed into the sea about 270 meters offshore. Five occupants swum to shore while a passenger drowned.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew to prepare the flight according to published procedures and without any contact with local ATC. Control was lost during a turn completed at an unsafe altitude in turbulences and relative strong winds.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Voyampolka: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L3805
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ust-Khayryuzovo – Tiguil – Voyampolka – Palana
MSN:
1 55 473 14
YOM:
29
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
487
Circumstances:
The crew was performing the flight Ust-Khayryuzovo - Palana with intermediate stops at Tiguil and Voyampolka, carrying three passengers, two pilots and 954 kilos of deer meat carcasses. Shortly after takeoff from Voyampolka, the copilot told the captain they forgot to deliver a package so the pilot decided to return, completed a low pass at a height of 50 meters, opened his window and jettisoned the package when the aircraft banked left and lost altitude, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane cartwheeled and crashed upside down on an icy terrain. The airplane was destroyed and all five occupants were injured. One of the passenger died from his injuries few hours later.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a careless take of risk on part of the pilot who attempted to drop a package in flight while it would be more prudent to land. Doing so, he failed to pay attention to the conduct of the flight and the airplane attitude.