MI-8 RA-24402 16.12.2015

Accident date	16.12.2015
Investigation status
Aircraft registration number	RA-24402
Place of aircraft departure	п.п. ВЖК
Airport of departure
Intended destination	п.п. Николаевка
Intended Airport of arrival
Accident site	32 км юго-восточнее населенного пункта Крутогорово Камчатского края
Latitude
Longitude
Aircraft type	MI-8
Serial №
Aircraft operator	ООО АК «ВИТЯЗЬ-АЭРО»
Aircraft owner
The date of the completion of the investigation (report)	22.11.2016
Number of fatalities	1
Victims accuracy
Degree of aircraft destruction	aircraft partially damaged
Report	report_24402.pdf (1.26 MB)
Aviation type	Commercial air transport
Works type
Note

16 december 2015

     The accident with Mi-8 RA-24402 helicopter owned by "VITYAZ-AERO" Airline LLC occurred at VZhKH 32 km airfield to the south-east from Krutogorovo locality of the Kamchatka Region (RF) on December 16, 2015. According to the available information 3 crew members and 22 passengers were on board. As a result of the accident the crew and 3 passengers were injured, one passenger was killed, the rotorcraft was damaged.
     The Interstate Aviation Committee has assigned the Investigation team of this accident in accordance with the Russian Aviation Legislation.

07 december 2016

The Interstate Aviation Committee Investigation team has completed the investigation of the accident with Mi-8Т RA-24402 helicopter owned by "Vityaz-Aero" Aviation Company Ltd occurred in the Kamchatka region on December 16, 2015.

Most probably the fatal accident with Mi-8Т RA-24402 helicopter was caused by the crew spatial disorientation during acceleration performing helicopter take-off in whiteout conditions. Airlines Operational Flight Plan as opposed to Mi-8T helicopter FOM allows no-run takeoff in ground effect given the possibility of snow whirl formation.

Most probably the following factors contributed to the accident:

- non-compliance with take-off procedure in conditions of possible snow whirl formation;

- inadequate crew members coordination in snow whirl conditions.

The appropriate safety recommendations based on the investigation results were developed.