Magadan, Russia: Russian emergency authorities have confirmed the deaths of five people following the crash of a Mil Mi-8 helicopter that went missing earlier this week in the country’s Far Eastern region.
The helicopter, operated by Magadan-based civil aviation company APK Vzlyot, had been en route from Chumikan to Magadan on July 14 when it lost radio contact and disappeared from radar. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and two technical staff at the time.
Following an intensive search operation, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) announced on July 16 that the wreckage was discovered near Cape Gadikan in Khabarovsk Krai, a remote and mountainous coastal area along the Sea of Okhotsk. All five individuals on board were found dead.
“The search and rescue team located the aircraft’s debris in a hard-to-reach area. There were no survivors,” a spokesperson for the Ministry stated.
No Distress Signal Received
Officials confirmed that no distress signal had been received from the helicopter prior to its disappearance. The emergency locator beacon reportedly failed to activate, which complicated the initial search efforts.
Weather conditions in the region, known for heavy fog and rugged terrain, had also hampered aerial reconnaissance flights during the first two days of the operation.
Criminal Investigation Underway
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case under Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code, which addresses violations of safety rules during air transport operations. The probe will focus on whether flight safety regulations were properly followed by the operator.
Investigators are currently examining the crash site and are expected to retrieve flight documentation and inspect any recoverable components of the aircraft. There is no official comment yet regarding the helicopter’s technical condition or any preliminary cause of the crash.
Background on the Aircraft and Operator
The Mi-8 is a Soviet-designed medium twin-turbine helicopter widely used in both civil and military aviation. Despite its age, it remains in extensive service across remote regions of Russia due to its reliability and load-carrying capability.
APK Vzlyot, the operator of the downed helicopter, provides cargo and passenger transport services across the Russian Far East. The company has not released a public statement as of this report but is cooperating with authorities.
This is a developing story. Further details will be provided as they are released by EMERCOM, the Investigative Committee, or Rosaviatsiya, Russia’s federal air transport agency.
