What happened
On May 27, 2017, a Mil Mi-8T, registration RA-24682, operated by Dalnerechensk Avia, was performing a scheduled commercial flight. The flight route was intended to connect the settlements of Okhotnichiy, Dalnerechensk, and Matveevsky within the Primorsky Krai region. The aircraft was carrying a crew of three, including a pilot-in-command, a co-pilot, and a flight mechanic, along with nine passengers and 260 kg of baggage.
At the time of departure, the helicopter's takeoff weight was calculated at 10,962 kg, which remained within the maximum allowable takeoff mass of 12,000 kg. The fuel load on board was 2,500 liters (approximately 2,000 kg), and the takeoff center of gravity was recorded at +126 mm, which was within the permitted limits of +370 mm to -80 mm.
The investigation
Pre-flight inspections indicated that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition, with the airframe, engines, and components possessing sufficient service life for the mission. No malfunctions or defects were identified during the most recent technical maintenance. The crew had received flight preparation training for the specific area on May 23, 2017, under the supervision of the company's flight operations department. Prior to departure from Okhotnichiy, the pilot-in-command conducted final preparations and reviewed the weather forecasts, including GAMET forecasts for the flight route. The flight was conducted within Class G airspace, and all necessary notifications regarding airspace usage had been submitted to the relevant air traffic management authorities.