Three people, three days in Kamchatka’s snowy isolation, and one chance for survival.
The crew and passenger of an An-2 aircraft survived after a crash landing, left without communication, almost no food, and no shelter.
The incident occurred on December 19, 2024, when the An-2 aircraft, performing a commercial flight on the Milkovo–Ossora–Amethystovaya route, sent a distress signal indicating an emergency landing.
Onboard were two crew members and one passenger. Communication with the aircraft was soon lost, and bad weather conditions in the presumed crash area – heavy snowfall and low cloud cover – hampered search efforts.
Only after three days, on December 22, was the aircraft found near Mount Tundrovaya (264 km from Ossora airport; 314 km from its departure point in Milkovo village). Despite harsh conditions, the crew and passenger survived.
The crew and passenger – individuals with vastly different ages and experiences – make this story even more remarkable.
The aircraft commander, 68-year-old Andrei Gordeev, an experienced pilot, managed to steer the plane away from mountainous terrain and perform an emergency landing on snow.
His colleague, 71-year-old pilot Nikolai Shcheglov, assisted in piloting the aircraft and demonstrated incredible composure during the critical situation.
Along with the crew, 25-year-old acting CEO of the airline “Faeravia,” Andrei Mitasov, was onboard.
The young leader found himself at the center of events that tested his endurance and ability to handle extreme conditions.
How could someone so young lead an airline? Andrei Mitasov’s story remains a mystery, but his example shows that leadership and responsibility are not defined by age.
Icing may have caused the accident. Commander Andrei Gordeev steered the aircraft away from the mountain range, saving the lives of everyone onboard.
After the landing, the An-2 flipped over on the snow, ending up wheels-up. The crew and passenger were isolated, without communication, and with almost no food. For shelter, they dug a snow pit to sleep in, and inside the plane, they lit fires to keep warm.
Food supplies were minimal, so they ate just once a day. Despite this, they did not lose hope and did everything possible to survive.
After evacuation, all three were taken to the hospital. Psychiatrist Igor Fedyuk reported that the men were diagnosed with hypothermia. One required surgery due to a closed head injury, and another suffered a chest contusion.
Kamchatka’s Transport Prosecutor’s Office and the Eastern Interregional Transport Investigation Department have begun investigating the incident’s causes. A criminal case has already been opened for violating air navigation and aircraft operation safety rules.
Kamchatka’s Emergency Situations Minister, Sergei Lebedev, noted the tremendous work of the rescuers: “The Mi-8 helicopter is approaching Milkovo.”
The An-2 story in Kamchatka reminds us of the importance of preparation, resilience, and proper decision-making in emergencies. Thanks to these qualities, three lives were saved.
