Mum dreamed of flying and bought flight for birthday – now her kids are orphans

A mum-of-three tragically plunged to her death on a small plane after booking the flight as a birthday present to herself. Widow Diana Akhmetova, 43, was killed in a horrific crash as she rebuilt her life after the death of her husband - leaving her three children orphaned by the tragedy.

Harrowing footage caught the moment the plane began to lose power before it spun to the ground in the Akmola region of Kazakhstan, near capital Astana. The owner of the two-seater Aerostar R40F aircraft, experienced pilot Arman Musin, was killed alongside her. His family watched on in horror as the plane plunged to the ground, killing both passengers on impact.

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The plane did not catch fire, according to reports, but it was left badly damaged with images showing the extent of the wreckage.

Speaking out after the tragedy, a friend of Akhmetova said: "She bought a ticket for the flight as a birthday present for herself. It was her birthday, she turned 43. She had dreamed of flying."

A report said Akhmetova, who was a keen horse rider, was initially thought to be missing by her family who were unaware of the crash until several hours had passed.

It said: "Her children and friends started looking for her yesterday evening because her phone was out of the coverage. And they only found out about the crash at night."

Another pal of the beloved mum said: "She had a 19-year-old daughter and two school-age boys. Last year her husband died. She was versatile, easy-going, so she planned this flight for her birthday - she really wanted to go.

"This was not self-confidence and recklessness, rather she hoped for the conscientiousness of those who provide the service."

Akhmetova's daughter Dzhamilya, 19, will now look after her underage brothers. Musin was a respected pilot who built up a business offering joyride flights and airport infrastructure in Kazakhstan.

Authorities have opened a pre-trial investigation into the horror crash.