RusAir Flight 9605 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Moscow to Petrozavodsk, Russia. On June 20, 2011, the aircraft was in its final approach to Petrozavodsk Airport when it encountered severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and low visibility. The aircraft, a Tupolev Tu-134, began to lose altitude unexpectedly and ultimately crashed in the Besovets region, not far from the airport. Out of the 52 people aboard, 47 lost their lives, making this incident one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Russia in the early 21st century.

Investigators from the Russian government and the Interstate Aviation Committee conducted thorough investigations into the crash. Initial reports indicated that both the weather factors and potential human error contributed to the accident. The flight crew reportedly struggled with the difficult approach conditions, leading to misjudgment and failure to regain control of the aircraft before it hit the ground. This event prompted discussions around pilot training and aeronautical safety protocols in Russia, as well as the maintenance standards of aging aircraft models like the Tupolev Tu-134.

Following the crash, there was widespread media coverage, and the tragedy raised concerns about aviation safety in Russia, particularly regarding the operating conditions of small regional airlines. Recommendations for improved training and modernization of fleet standards became central themes in the aftermath discussions to prevent such tragedies in the future.