Mi-8 Helicopter Went Under Ice In Russia: Three Versions Of Incident

The helicopter belonged to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

The investigation considers three reasons for the crash of the Russian Mi-8 helicopter in Karelia. Main versions: crew error, weather conditions and equipment malfunction.

According to SHOT, the ship drowned in Lake Onega and delivered rescuers from St. Petersburg to the International Scientific and Practical Conference Russian Ice 2024 in the Vologda region.

The crew went to Petrozavodsk (Karelia) to refuel. Communication was interrupted when the helicopter was heading back around 20:30.

Weather conditions were unfavourable: low cloud cover and poor visibility, but the flight was allowed. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations found the accident scene about 20 km from the village of Derevyannoe, Prionezhsky district of Karelia.

The wreckage of the helicopter was found 11 km from the shoreline of Lake Onega. The depth there reaches 50 meters.

There were three crew members on board: Capitan Evseev V. N., co-pilot Nosov S. A., and mechanic Bilida V. P. Previously. They all died. A criminal case was initiated under Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Violation of the rules of traffic safety and operation of air transport".

The helicopter belonged to the North-West Aviation Rescue Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Divers and the Falcon remote-controlled underwater vehicle, capable of diving to 300 meters, are involved. The start of the search operation on Lake Onega is scheduled for 09:00.