MI-8AMT RA-22312 26.10.2017

According to the available information, on 26.10.2017, at 13:06 UTC (16:06 Moscow time), near Barentsburg locality (Spitsbergen, Norway) the accident with Mi-8АМТ RA-22312 helicopter operated by Convers Avia Airline, CJSC occurred. According to the notification of the accident received from Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN), in course of flight via route Piramida locality - Barentsburg locality the helicopter sank in the sea at distance just a few nautical miles from the destination. 8 persons were on board, search and rescue operations are in progress.

In accordance with provisions of Annex 13, Aircraft accident and incident investigation to the Convention on international civil aviation the investigation is conducted by the AIBN. The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) has assigned the accredited representative and his advisers for participation in the investigation work. The Investigation team has proceeded to work.

Please, pay attention that in accordance with Annex 13 Standards all official information about the investigation progress and its results is to be provided by the authority (AIBN) of the State conducting investigation (Norway). The link to AIBN official web-site – http://www.aibn.no.

Interstate Aviation Committee informs that press release on the investigation progress of the accident with Mi-8AMT RA-22312 helicopter was published on official web-site of Accident Invesitgation Board Norway.  

The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) and the Interstate Investigation Committee informs on the investigation progress of the fatal accident with Mi-8AMT RA-22312 helicopter occurred in the area of Barentsburg locality (Spitsbergen, Norway) on 26 October 2017.

Detected at the depth of 209 meters in 2 km from the coast the destroyed helicopter was inspected by divers and lifted to the surface by MAERSK FORZA Norwegian vessel. AIBN and IAC experts carried out the preliminary inspection of the lifted helicopter fuselage and airframe fragments, dismounted flight recorder (CVR), GPS navigation devices.  

Flight data recorder BUR located in aft section of the tail boom was completely destroyed (probably due to rotor blade impact). Flight recorder closure is teared off, solid–state data recorder is absent. Its search at the crash site did not result in success.

Currently, activities at the accident site has been completed. The rotorcraft and fragments will be brought to the continental part of Norway for further examinations.

On November 8 in IAC laboratory the activities on examination of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and GPS navigation devices delivered by AIBN experts were carried out.

The CVR was examined and opened after which the activities on preparation of solid-state memory module for data downloading (cleaning, drying, connection of support cables) were carried out. Data was successfully downloaded and currently IAC and AIBN experts are busy with the decoding.

GPS navigation devices were disassembled after which dismantling of nonvolatile memory microchips was performed. Recorded data downloading was carried out after preparatory works, salt removal, drying, and microchips contacts recovery. As a result of data decoding, IAC experts were able to get recording of the last flight path of the helicopter.

Activities results will be transferred to the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN).

The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) inform about the progress of the investigation of the Mi-8АМТ RA-22312 helicopter fatal accident, occurred in the area of Barentsburg landing site (Spitsbergen, Norway) on October 26, 2017.

Currently specialists of AIBN, IAC and the helicopter designer (Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant) carry out activities on description and analysis of the damage of the helicopter, its systems and units. Upon the analysis completion, the decision about the necessity of further research will be taken.

AIBN has issued the preliminary report on the investigation progress which is available on the AIBN web-site.

https://www.aibn.no/About-us/News-archive/The-Helicopter-Accident-near-Barentsburg-Preliminary-report