Helicopter carrying 20 people crashes in Russia, resulting in fatalities

Photo: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

A Mi-8 helicopter carrying 20 people has crashed in Russia’s Magadan Oblast, killing at least two people, according to some reports, while others indicate one fatality.

Source: Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office; Russian Telegram channels

Quote from the prosecutor’s office: “Early reports indicate that the cause of the incident was an engine malfunction.”

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Details: The helicopter crash occurred at 11:05 local time, approximately 75 km from the town of Evensk in the Severo-Evensky district of Magadan Oblast. 

The Mi-8, operated by Dalnerechensk Avia, was transporting employees from a gold mine en route from the Kvartsevy landing site to Omsukchan Airport. 

On board the aircraft were 20 people, including 3 crew members. Various Russian Telegram channels report one or two fatalities. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.

Why this is important: There has been an increase in aircraft accidents in Russia following the imposition of sanctions against Russia due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This has been attributed to a shortage of necessary parts previously imported from Western countries.

Background:

• A month ago, a Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Karelia.
• Radio Liberty’s Russian Service reported that an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft had crashed near Severny air base in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, on 12 March. There were eight crew members and seven passengers on board.

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