"Ptenec-2" RA-0347A 31.10.2015

     The accident involving Ptenec-2 RA-0347A single-built private aircraft occurred at a distance of 220 km from Olenek Airport, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia, RF) on October 31, 2015. According to the available information, the pilot on board was killed, a passenger was injured, the aircraft was damaged.
     The Interstate Aviation Committee has formed the investigation team of this accident in accordance with the Russian Aviation Legislation. The Investigation team has started its work.
   

The Interstate Aviation Committee Investigation team has completed the investigation of the accident involving Ptenets-2 RA-0347A single-built private aircraft (flying vehicle single prototype) occurred in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia, RF) on October 31, 2015.

Most probably, the accident involving Ptenets RA-0347A single-built VLA was caused by loss of altitude monitoring by PIC in low visibility conditions (low cloud) and underlying surface "whiteout" resulted in aircraft descending and collision with ground.

Most probably, the following factors contributed to the accident:

-        PIC's improper evaluation of en-route weather conditions resulted in his unreasonable decision to continue the VFR flight;

-        ignorance of terrain by PIC;

-        PIC's poor eyesight and lack of goggles recommended by medical flight-expert commission.

The PIC's death from injuries caused by the accident occurred more than 9 hours after the accident. A rescue helicopter arrived at the accident site more than a day later.

The following factors contributed to the late arrival of rescuers:

-       ineffective transmission of the distress signal transmitted by the PIC via the satellite tracker immediately after the accident. In case the signal would been transmitted in time, there was a possibility of rescuer teams arrival before dark (by An-26 aircraft);

-        remoteness of the accident site from search and rescue aircraft bases;

-        adverse meteorological conditions which prevented night rescue mission.

The Investigation team didn't identify any violations in existing regulatory documents resulted in delay of search and rescue operation. However, the actual location of emergency and rescue forces and resources, given the existing minimum meteorological conditions required for the rescue operation, creates an increased risk of fatalities for survivors in this region.

Appropriate safety recommendations based on the investigation results were developed.