The pilot of a light aircraft that crashed into a Black Sea estuary near the town of Anapa on Sunday evening was drunk and operating the aircraft without permission, prosecutors in Krasnodar Territory reported on Monday.
The aircraft crashed into the Kiziltash estuary 500 meters from shore. The pilot, who was flying solo, was rescued and hospitalized in serious condition.
“The plane was being operated without permission. In addition the pilot was under the influence of alcohol,” prosecutors said in a statement.
According to preliminary information, during an attempted water landing the aircraft hit a sand bank and broke apart.
The Novorossiysk transportation prosecutors are investigating the incident.