On April 24, 2023, an Ansat helicopter, registration RA-20012, was performing medical evacuation services in the Volgograd region. The flight was part of an emergency medical assistance mission for the City Clinical Hospital for Emergency Medical Care No. 25. The mission involved multiple routes between various airfields and towns, including Ezhoka, Kletskaya, and Novoanninsky.
During the flight near the settlement of Ersovka, the pilot encountered a low fuel warning. At 18:56:13, a 'BELL' signal sounded in the headset, and the aircraft's systems registered that only 20 liters of fuel remained in the left tank. This triggered multiple warnings, including a flashing yellow message on the TAUS system and a yellow indication on the BISK information panel.
Investigation into the flight parameters revealed that the pilot performed an atypical left turn approximately 1.5 km before a ground reference point. This maneuver increased the flight duration despite the low fuel levels. The investigation determined that the fuel warning alarm likely distracted the pilot, contributing to a loss of spatial orientation.
Under conditions lacking visual references, the aircraft maintained a 7-degree left roll for 30 seconds. At an altitude of 45 meters and a speed of 180 km/h, the pilot initiated a climb. During this maneuver, engine power was reduced from 48% to 27%, causing the flight speed to drop to 34 km/h. The aircraft subsequently transitioned into a 40-degree right roll, exceeding the roll limits specified in the flight manual.