The investigating bodies of the Southern Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee have opened a criminal investigation in violation of safety standards for traffic and operation of an aircraft – a Bonanza 36 TS plane which crashed 3.5 km from the village of Suvorovskaya, Predgorny District, Stavropol Territory killing the pilot and three passengers (part 3 of article 263 of the RF Penal Code).

According to investigators, the Bonanza 36 TS light plane crashed on 13 December 2015into a hill 3.5 km from the village of Suvorovskaya, Predgorny District, Stavropol Territory, and caught fire. There were the 46-year-old pilot aboard and three men aged 30, 35 and 54 who died at the scene. The plane has multiple mechanic and thermal damages. According to preliminary information the plane belonged to the pilot. Two basic causes of the crash are being considered: a pilot’s error and technical failure.

An investigative team is working at the crash site.

At present the crash site and nearby areas are being examined, checks are underway to find out all the details of the crash. A procedural decision will be made following the checks.