An-26 Aircraft Crashes in Khabarovsk: Casualties Reported

An-26 laboratory aircraft has crashed in Khabarovsk. The aircraft was performing a technical flight, bypassing the airport's runway. Initial reports indicate that the plane collided with a mountain in the Bolshoy Khikhchyrian nature reserve area.

Those who lost their lives include aircraft commander M.A. Simakov, co-pilot G.A. Popov, flight engineer B.I. Drozhin, radio operator D.L. Zaytsev, and flight operator S.V. Tyvordunov. Emergency services are considering bad weather as a possible cause of the crash, and technical malfunction cannot be ruled out.

Earlier, it was reported that the crew members suddenly lost communication, after which a Mi-8 helicopter from Rosaviatsia was dispatched for search and rescue efforts.