Flight Planning and Cancellation
On July 29, 2009, the crew of helicopter Mi-8T with registration RA-25312, operated by Polar Airlines, was scheduled to perform a training flight under operational conditions. The crew consisted of the captain, co-pilot, flight engineer, and an inspecting commander of the air squadron. The planned route was Magan–Dyelendzhe River (Verkhoyansk Range)–Tumara River basin–Magan. The purpose was the captain's refresher training after leave, in accordance with paragraph 6.4.1 of the 1987 Civil Aviation Flight Operations Manual. In case of flight cancellation, an aerodrome training session was planned.
Schedule and Weather
The first flight was scheduled for 00:30, and the second (aerodrome training) for 06:00. In the morning, after receiving a forecast of unfavorable weather for the entire day for the route flight, the inspecting commander informed the crew members by phone that the flight was canceled, and they continued their rest at home. The pre-flight rest period was at least 14 hours.
Pre-flight Preparations
The crew's preparation for the aerodrome training was conducted at the Flight Operations Dispatch Office of Magan Airport, in accordance with the flight plan and regulatory requirements. Flight task No. 1948 was signed on July 28, 2009, by the flight director. All crew members held valid civil aviation specialist certificates, and their professional training met the requirements of civil aviation regulations. They had completed training for the 2009 summer flying season.
According to the methodical plan for aerodrome flights, the captain was to perform four approaches under a hood using the OSP system and four landings with one engine throttled back.
Medical and Weather Briefing
At 05:04, at the airport medical station, the crew passed the pre-flight medical check and were cleared for flight. At 05:12, the crew received a weather briefing. In both cases, corresponding entries were made in the flight task. The weather forecast and actual weather at the departure and alternate airports, as well as their technical condition, met the requirements.