What happened
On December 30, 2018, an Agusta AW119 MKII, registration RA-01908, was scheduled to perform a recreational flight near the settlement of Kyjimit, located approximately 270 km northeast of Beryozovka, Ulan-Ude. The flight was organized by a primary passenger, a relative of the aircraft owner, who intended to transport two additional passengers to a holiday destination.
On the evening of December 29, 2018, the pilot submitted a flight plan via the internet to air traffic control services. The intended route was planned to depart from Beryozovka, transit through Lenino and Onokhoy-Sibir, reach Kyjimit, and return via the same points. According to witness testimony, the pilot arrived at the Beryozovka site at 23:45 on December 29. During this time, the crew performed pre-flight inspections, loaded luggage and food supplies into the aircraft, and moved the helicopter out of its hangar in preparation for the following day's mission.