Crashed in Sergiev Posad aircraft was operated by a test pilot

At the helm of the crashed light-engine aircraft in Sergiev Posad in the Moscow region on June 17 was a 75-year-old pilot, with him was a 53-year-old passenger. One of the versions of the accident is a piloting error.

According to TASS, test pilot Peter Tutakin was at the helm.

"According to investigators, on June 17, 2026, at about 19:45, the Tangero light-engine aircraft took off from the landing site located in the village of Vikhrevo in the Sergiev Posad urban district of the Moscow region. During the flight, the plane crashed, on board of which were a 75-year-old pilot and a 53-year-old passenger. As a result of the accident, both men were killed,"the press service of the Western Interregional Investigation Department for Transport of the RF IC reported.

A criminal case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — violation of traffic safety rules and operation of air transport.

"The investigation is considering various versions of the incident, including pilot error, including due to the health condition of one of the victims, a technical malfunction of the aircraft and others," the department said.

The necessary investigative actions are being carried out to clarify all the circumstances, causes and conditions of the accident, they said.

In particular, the crash site, the aircraft and the hangar were inspected, fuel samples, technical equipment, as well as various technical and registration documents for the aircraft, including the certificate of airworthiness and the logbook, were seized. Witnesses have been questioned, a comprehensive technological forensic examination in the field of air transport, physico-chemical and forensic medical examinations have been appointed.