Flight Overview
On 2 March 2017, the crew of Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter RA-25129, operated by JSC AK ALROSA, performed scheduled transport flight YM-9935 under a request from OJSC Almasy Anabara. The mission was to deliver shift workers to several landing sites in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
Preflight Procedures
The airspace usage application was submitted by the airline management to the Yakutsk Center of the Unified Air Traffic Management System on 1 March 2017, and approval was granted the same day. Prior to departure, the helicopter commander conducted a medical examination of the crew, as permitted by regulations when no medical personnel is available at the departure point. The commander also reviewed the weather forecast and actual conditions at Zhigansk aerodrome, as well as the GAMET zone forecast for the Yakutsk FIR covering the route area.
Route and Flight Timeline
The planned route was: Verkhneye Molodo – Saloli River – Drill Site No. 3 – Drill Site No. 4 – Prilensk – Zhigansk aerodrome – Verkhneye Molodo. The helicopter departed Verkhneye Molodo at 01:36. Landings were made at the drill sites for crew change without engine shutdown. At 03:48, the helicopter landed at Prilensk. After a ground stop, it departed Prilensk at 04:58 en route to Zhigansk aerodrome, landing there at 07:16. At Zhigansk, the helicopter was refueled with TS-1 fuel. At 07:57, it departed Zhigansk for the return leg to Verkhneye Molodo.
Flight Conditions
The flight was conducted under visual flight rules. No further details about the remainder of the flight or any incidents were provided in the source.