Flight Overview
On 1 January 2016, at 05:16 local time, a Bell-429 helicopter with registration RA-01617 departed from the Rybatskoye helipad, its primary base. The purpose of the flight was to transport passengers to Rostov-on-Don Airport and then return to the helipad. On board were a crew of two pilots and four passengers.
Crew Duties
Before the flight, crew duties were assigned: the right-seat pilot acted as pilot-in-command (PIC), responsible for flying, while the left-seat pilot served as second pilot, handling monitoring and communications.
Flight Plan and Airspace Coordination
The flight was conducted in accordance with filed flight plan number 300706URRVZDZS. A request for airspace usage was submitted to the air traffic control planning center at 03:47 on 1 January 2016. Flight conditions for the entire route were promptly relayed.
Weight and Balance
The helicopter's takeoff weight was approximately 3,100 kg. According to the Bell-429 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), section 1-6-A, the maximum gross weight for takeoff and landing is 7,000 lb (3,175 kg). The takeoff weight was therefore within limits. The center of gravity before takeoff was 5,700 mm, which fell within the allowable range of 5,634 mm to 5,824 mm for a takeoff weight of 3,100 kg, as specified in RFM section 1-6-B, figure 1-1.
Weather and Medical Clearance
The PIC obtained meteorological information from the Rostov-on-Don airport flight dispatch service by telephone before departure. The forecast and actual weather conditions were suitable for the intended flight. The PIC did not undergo a pre-flight medical examination and made the decision to fly independently, which is permitted under the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAP-128, section 8.10.1). No further details regarding the flight outcome were provided.