On March 14, 2024, a Mi-8T helicopter, registration RA-24467, was performing scheduled passenger, baggage, and cargo transportation services under contract for the Omolonskaya Gold Mining Company. The flight was part of a three-flight schedule for the day, following a route from Omsukchan airport through the settlements of Nevenrekan and Sopka Kvartseva.
The crew arrived at Omsukchan airport at approximately 07:35 to begin pre-flight preparations. Due to the early departure time, a pre-flight medical examination was not conducted at the airport, a decision made by the captain in accordance with specific Federal Aviation Regulations regarding airfields without medical professionals.
The accident occurred approximately 75 km northeast of the Severo-Evenk airport in the Magadan region. While the engines of the RA-24467 were found to be in satisfactory technical condition and were not the cause of a spontaneous shutdown, investigators identified a defect in the ice detection sensor (DСЛ-40-Т). A deformation in a bracket attached to the sensor's sensitive element may have caused incorrect signal emissions.
Analysis of the instrument panel warning lights indicated that at the moment of impact with an obstacle, the 'LEFT ENGINE HEATING WORKS' lamp was receiving voltage, while the 'RIGHT ENGINE HEATINGES WORKS', 'TURN ON ANTI-ICING SYSTEM', and 'SO-121 OPERATIONAL' lamps were not. The investigation could not determine if the sensor deformation occurred before or after the collision with the ground.