Did the Mi-8 Chopper Crash in Khabarovsk Claim Any Lives?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- No survivors were found in the Mi-8 helicopter crash in Khabarovsk.
- The crash occurred on July 14, 2023.
- Five individuals were onboard the helicopter.
- Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash.
- The Mi-8 helicopter has a storied history but has also been involved in fatal incidents.
Moscow, July 16 (NationPress) No survivors were confirmed in the tragic Mi-8 helicopter crash that occurred on July 14 in Russia's far eastern region of Khabarovsk, as stated by the country's emergencies ministry on Wednesday.
As reported by Rosaviatsiya, the Russian air transport regulator, all aboard perished in the incident. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has dispatched rescuers alongside investigators to scrutinize the wreckage and search for flight recorders to determine the cause of the crash, according to a statement to the state-run news agency TASS.
Initial reports from the Eastern Interregional Transport Investigative Directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the recovery of five bodies at the crash site.
The Mi-8 helicopter vanished from radar while en route from Okhotsk to Magadan on July 14.
It was located two days later in the Cape Gadikan area following its unfortunate descent.
Preliminary data indicated that there were five individuals on board, comprising two maintenance engineers and three crew members.
Local media sources indicated the presence of fire signs near the debris, which was located by search teams.
A two-day search operation was initiated, utilizing another Mi-8 helicopter and an An-26 aircraft from Okhotsk and Magadan, respectively, to locate the missing aircraft.
The Mi-8 helicopter, a Soviet-designed multipurpose aircraft, is widely employed for military, civilian, and rescue operations in Russia. Despite its reliable service record, it has been involved in multiple deadly incidents over the years.
An earlier accident in Oryol Oblast resulted in the loss of the entire crew.
In March, a separate incident involving a Mi-8 helicopter in the Magadan region led to two fatalities and two injuries when the aircraft crashed while transporting 20 workers from a mine on March 18.
This unfortunate event occurred during a hard landing approximately 75 km from Evensk, a city in Magadan Oblast.