Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251 was a domestic passenger flight operating in Russia. The aircraft, a well-maintained Bombardier Q400, was en route from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana Airport when it encountered severe weather conditions. On approach, the crew faced thick fog and low visibility, which led to difficulties in accurately gauging their altitude and distance from the runway. Despite these challenges, the pilots initiated their descent. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed just short of the runway, resulting in a catastrophic loss of control. The impact led to the deaths of ten people onboard, while four passengers were left injured. Search and rescue operations were promptly launched, and the local authorities responded to the disaster scene without delay.

Following the crash, a thorough investigation was launched by the Russian aviation authorities, which focused on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Initial findings indicated that pilot error, exacerbated by the adverse weather conditions, was a significant contributing factor. The investigation highlighted the importance of crew training and compliance with safety protocols under challenging circumstances. As a result, there were renewed calls for improved safety measures and flight training programs to prevent similar tragedies in the future, especially within the challenging airspace of the Russian Far East.