On August 8, 2024, an Mi-8T helicopter, registration RA-2MU, operated by PJSC ALROSA Airline, was performing aviation forestry work under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The flight was part of a contract with the Yakut Aviation Forest Protection Base. The mission involved multiple legs between the Suntar airfield and various landing sites.
During the landing phase at a site selected from the air, the aircraft experienced an excessive vertical descent rate. The landing surface consisted of loose, cloddy soil and dense bushes approximately 1.5 meters high. As the helicopter touched down, the left landing gear strut sank into the ground, causing the aircraft to roll to the left.
This movement resulted in the main rotor blades striking the ground and the tail boom. There were no injuries or fatalities reported in connection with the incident.
The crew had arrived at the Suntar airfield at 04:00 for pre-flight preparations and had received necessary meteorological information and technical inspections prior to the flight. The aircraft was recorded as being in serviceable condition upon acceptance from the maintenance department.