New Details on the Fatal Crash of Yak-52 Aircraft in Kotayk

On July 19, 2024, around 9:30 AM, a Yak-52 aircraft, registered under the number "15" and belonging to the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, crashed during a training flight conducted at military unit N in the territory known as "Lcher" in the city of Yeghvard. As a result of the incident, two crew members lost their lives: instructor pilot Senior Lieutenant Armen Khachik Isakhanyan (born in 1998) and Military Academy cadet Armen Karen Khachatryan (born in 2004).

Following the incident, a criminal case was initiated by the Military Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia under Article 539, Part 4 of the Criminal Code (violations of rules governing the flights of military aircraft, their preparation, or operation, causing the death of two or more persons through negligence). An investigative team has been formed. Extensive investigative and evidentiary actions are being conducted as part of the pre-trial investigation. In particular, inspections of the scene were carried out with the participation of experts in the fields of explosive technology, forensic fire analysis, forensic science, and forensic medicine, during which samples were collected for necessary examinations.

An external examination of the bodies has been performed, and forensic medical examinations have been assigned. At the same time, investigators from the investigative group have seized materials and documents of significance from military unit N of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia. Numerous witnesses have been interrogated during the pre-trial investigation, including individuals who witnessed the incident. It has been established that on the day of the crash, the same aircraft conducted four training flights, all involving the instructor pilot Senior Lieutenant Armen Isakhanyan. The accident occurred during the second flight with cadet Armen Khachatryan.

The criminal investigation is ongoing, with extensive investigative and procedural actions being taken to determine the causes of the crash, compliance with the allowable operation of the aircraft, technical requirements, and the potential factors that may have led to the incident.