Russia

Helicopter Crash Kills 22 On Board in Eastern Russia

Published SEP 2 2024

Story

Above: A Mi-8 military helicopter flies over Moscow during the Victory Day military parade in Red Square, Moscow, Russia. Image credit: Alexey Maishev/Host Photo Agency/Handout/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

Russia's emergencies situations ministry on Sunday said that rescuers have found 17 bodies after a Soviet-era Mi-8T helicopter crashed with 22 people aboard in Russia's Far Eastern region of Kamchatka on Saturday. There were no survivors.
DAWN.COM
The helicopter had set off from a site near the region's Vachkazhets volcano. Its wreckage was found the next day at an altitude of 900 meters (about 3K feet) close to the location where its three-member crew had last made contact.
Reuters
Alarabiya
According to the Russian state media, thick fog, low visibility, and heavy winds and rain were observed in the Kamchatka peninsula after it was hit by a cyclone over the weekend. The crew reportedly didn't flag any technical snags.
Reuters
CNN
Emergency services believe the helicopter, owned by Vityaz-Aero, crashed into a hill due to a pilot error, possibly caused by harsh weather conditions.
TASS
Kamchatka's investigative department for transport has opened an investigation into possible violations of rules related to traffic safety and air transport operation relating to Saturday's crash.
nytimes
Zapsib-Sut
Vityaz-Aero was previously reprimanded over a crash into a lake in Kamchatka in 2021. Out of 16 on board the Mi-8 helicopter, including 13 tourists, eight died in the accident.
TACC
Alarabiya

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Due to its fast-changing, harsh, and sub-Arctic weather, accidents involving helicopters are commonplace in the sparsely populated and wild region of the Kamchatka peninsula. Bad weather and poor visibility while a cyclone was in effect most likely caused Saturday's crash.

The Moscow Times

Narrative B

Though the investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash is ongoing, it can't be overlooked that the helicopter was designed in the Soviet era. The authorities should be held accountable for allowing an ancient aircraft with a chequered record to fly in harsh conditions in the first place.