Flight Overview
On 22 July 2009, the crew of a Mi-8AMT helicopter, registration RA-22968, operated by the Samara branch of LLC "Aviapredpriyatie 'Gazpromavia'", conducted a transport-communication aero-visual flight designated GZP-9542. The flight was performed on behalf of the customer LLC "LUKOIL – Volgogradneftegaz". The planned route was from Volgograd airport to landing site "13th km", then to the settlement of Kotovo, back to landing site "13th km", and finally returning to Volgograd airport.
Crew and Pre-Flight Preparation
The crew's professional training was deemed appropriate for the objectives and tasks of the assignment, meeting the established requirements of civil aviation. No remarks were identified regarding the crew's simulator training, checks of piloting and navigation techniques, or practical in-flight work. The crew completed mandatory pre-flight procedures in accordance with regulatory documents.
A pre-flight medical examination was conducted at the starting medical station of Volgograd airport by a paramedic between 02:39 and 02:53 UTC. The crew was cleared for the flight based on their health status, with corresponding entries made in the medical examination log and in the flight assignment. The crew had adequate pre-flight rest.
The crew received necessary information about actual and forecast meteorological conditions along the route and at Volgograd (Gumrak) aerodrome. The weather conditions were simple. No remarks were made regarding the operation of the aircraft or its systems before the flight. The aircraft was serviced by the technical staff of the Samara branch of Gazpromavia.
First Flight Segment
The first flight, short in duration (8 minutes), was conducted from Volgograd airport to landing site "13th km". The purpose was to load five passengers of the customer from that landing site. During this first flight, the crew had no remarks concerning the performance of the aircraft and its systems. The subsequent flight segment is not detailed in the available source.