Maintenance and Decision to Fly
On 19 March 2011, at approximately 11:30, two Russian citizens—the buyer of a Kamov Ka-26 helicopter with registration RA-24313 and his acquaintance from an aero club—arrived at the Zabel'skiy Central Aviation Sports Aero Club airfield to perform technical maintenance and check the helicopter's systems. The helicopter had previously been operated by Ufa Airlines and was sold to the buyer in October 2010. Since November 2010, it had been stored in the aero club's hangar in a disassembled state.
According to a service agreement dated 1 January 2011 between the head of the Central Aviation Sports Club and the president of the AgroPromKomService Association, the helicopter was kept at the hangar. To restore it, components including a gearbox, engines, and main rotor blades needed to be installed. The acquaintance assisted in the restoration work. However, no maintenance or technical documentation was completed, so the commission could not establish the chronology or quality of the work performed.
Upon arrival, the two men prepared the helicopter for engine start and testing. They first started the engines without blades and then with the main rotor blades installed. The engines and systems operated without any reported issues.
The buyer stated that the helicopter was being prepared for ground transport to an aviation museum in the village of Kirillovo. However, deep snow on the airfield made it impossible to tow the helicopter over land to its new parking spot. Consequently, the buyer decided to move the helicopter by air instead.
The source does not describe the outcome of this decision or any subsequent events.
Probable Cause
The investigation source does not state a probable cause for any accident or incident.