University, Governor, Speaker Mourn Pilots Killed Near Orsk

The St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of those killed in the plane crash near Orsk. It was this educational institution that owned the Diamond DA-40 that crashed near Dzhanatalap, and the two dead cadets — Timofey and Dmitry — were learning the basics of flight there.

— All of them dreamed of the sky, each day conquering new heights, learning to be above the birds. Young, talented, full of love for the sky enthusiasts. Today they have departed on an eternal flight. This is an irreparable loss both for the University and for the entire aviation community. In our memory, they will remain cheerful, purposeful, with a bright flame in their souls and a gaze as clear as the sky above, — the university«s social media post said.

Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Alexander Belsky also expressed their condolences.

Recall that on 2 February 2026 at 12:51, a report of the crash of a Diamond DA-40 (registration RA-02673) was received by the 112 dispatch desk. It crashed near the village of Dzhanatalap.

On board were three people: 36-year-old Vasily N. (instructor pilot), 21-year-old Dmitry S., and 20-year-old Timofey K. (cadets).

All three died: Timofey«s father spoke with colleagues from E1.RU, and Dmitry»s mother spoke with colleagues from MSK1.RU. Orsk Mayor Artem Vorobyov and Governor Yevgeny Solntsev promised any assistance to the families of the deceased. Buguruslan Mayor Dmitry Dyachenko also expressed condolences — it is in this city that there is a «flight school» about whose plane incidents we have reported.

The IAC (Interstate Aviation Committee) commission conducting the investigation (and there is also a criminal case) has already received the flight data recorders of the crashed aircraft, and the relatives of each of the three victims will be paid one million rubles (approximately $11,100 at current rates) through the insurance company.

At Rosaviatsiya (Federal Air Transport Agency) educational institutions, the operation of Diamond DA-40 aircraft has been temporarily suspended for an unscheduled technical audit of the fleet. 56.RU reported that at least five incidents involving such aircraft have been recorded in Orenburg Oblast over the past five years.

All news about the Orsk crash is collected in a separate section.