In a statement, the Federal Air Transport Agency said that the Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region on Saturday, August 31, but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled. It said it believed that 19 passengers and three crew members were on board; further details were awaited. The Investigative Committee for Transport has opened an investigation. The helicopter belonged to the Vityaz-Aero airline, which organises tourist trips on the peninsula.
A closer look at the Mi-8 chopper
The 1960s saw the design of the two-engine Mi-8 helicopter. It is frequently utilized in neighboring nations like Russia, where crashes have been common.
Although it may also be deployed as an airborne command post, an armed gunship, and a surveillance platform, the Mi-8 is most frequently utilized as a transport helicopter.
It is the most produced helicopter in the world.
Western sanctions have severely hurt Russia’s aviation sector.
The Russian aircraft industry has suffered greatly from Western sanctions since Russia began its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. An analysis by
According to the Kyiv Independent, the restrictions include a ban on the transfer of aviation-related equipment, some of which is used in Russian helicopters, and a ban on Russian airlines or Russian-owned aircraft using EU airspace.
Due to a race for spare parts, Russian airline safety has gotten worse.
