A Mi-8 helicopter carrying 22 people went missing in the Kamchatka Peninsula on August 31. The 22 people included 19 passengers and three crew members, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) said.
According to the Telegram channel “112”, the passengers on the helicopter could be tourists. This information is being verified.
“The aircraft was flying from a location in the Vachkazhets volcanic area to the Nikolaevka location, 17 kilometers southwest of Elizovo airport. But at the appointed time, at about 07:15 Moscow time, the helicopter crew lost contact,” Rosaviatsia said. A search operation is underway, the agency said.
A Mi-8 helicopter carrying 22 people went missing in the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia's Far East, on August 31, 2024. Search operations are underway. Photo: First Post
Another Mi-8 has been scrambled to search for the missing helicopter. The Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that it has not yet been able to send in any air forces to search for the missing helicopter due to an approaching storm. There is dense fog in the area where the helicopter is believed to have disappeared.
A criminal case has been opened under the provisions of the law on violation of traffic safety rules and air transport operations.
The Mi-8 helicopter is one of the most effective versions of the multi-purpose medium-lift helicopter in the world. It is the most popular mass-produced twin-engine helicopter ever, thanks to its efficient design, high performance and safe operation in a wide temperature range (from -50 degrees Celsius to +50 degrees Celsius), ease of maintenance, as well as affordable price.
The Mi-8's airborne navigation equipment and radio communications equipment allow the helicopter to operate in adverse light and weather conditions.
The Mi-8 was originally designed in the former Soviet Union and is now produced in Russia, with a total production run of over 12,000 helicopters. Developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant design team, the Mi-8 made its maiden flight on July 7, 1961 and entered service in 1967. Today, the Mi-8 is operated in over 80 countries around the world.
The Kamchatka Peninsula is a 1,250 km long peninsula in the Russian Far East, with an area of about 472,300 km2. It lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk. Known as the “Land of Ice and Fire”, Kamchatka is one of the world’s most famous wild tourist destinations with active volcanoes.
Minh Duc (According to RFE/RL, Xinhua)
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