Background
On 14 October 2023, the general director of ATSK OSA (LLC) entered into an oral agreement with a private pilot to transport three hunters from their hunting location in the foothills of the Verkhoyansk Range to the coordinates 6845N12603E on the Dzhardzhan River. The helicopter used was a Mil Mi-2, registration RA-14266, owned by ATSK OSA. The pilot-in-command (PIC) held authorization to fly the Mi-2 and carried a power of attorney from the general director to operate the aircraft.
Flight Preparations
On 15 October 2023, the PIC and a passenger—who was also a pilot but not flying—arrived at the ATSK OSA base. The passenger knew the location of the hunters and had a satellite phone used for submitting flight requests and obtaining weather information. The passenger occupied the right seat (copilot position) but did not participate in piloting. The PIC then flew the helicopter to Zhigansk, the administrative center of Zhigansky District in Yakutia, and landed at the "Kvadrat" landing site, located 4 km southeast of Zhigansk aerodrome. After landing, the PIC handed the helicopter over to site personnel for security and went with the passenger to a hotel.
Weather Conditions
From 16 to 18 October 2023, meteorological conditions did not meet visual flight rules (VFR) requirements. Weather improved only on 19 October 2023, allowing the PIC to resume the mission.
Flight on 19 October 2023
On 19 October, the PIC first flew the helicopter to Zhigansk aerodrome to refuel. According to the PIC, the aircraft was filled with TS-1 fuel to full tanks—1,070 liters. The PIC then departed for the designated point at coordinates 6845N12603E on the Dzhardzhan River. During the second half of the day, weather conditions deteriorated. (The report cuts off at this point; no further details of the flight outcome are provided in the source.)