Helicopter Information
The helicopter involved was a Robinson R-44, registration RA-04392. It was operated by the pilot-in-command under a lease agreement dated 18 March 2018, number 1.
Flight Planning
On 28 September 2018, the pilot planned a ferry flight along the route: Srednekolymsk – Zyryanka (9 km) – Ust-Nera – Teply Klyuch (Khandyga) – Yakutsk (Vladimirovka). A flight plan was filed with a planned start time of 22:00. According to the pilot, due to a lack of experience in filing flight plans, all flight plans were submitted to air traffic control via the helicopter club "Solnechny" in Voronezh.
Pre-Flight Procedures
The pilot performed pre-flight servicing and refueling of the helicopter. A pre-flight medical examination of the pilot was not conducted; however, this does not contradict the requirements of FAP-128. According to FAP-128, when medical personnel are unavailable at the aerodrome or landing site, the pilot-in-command decides on crew fitness for flight.
Weather Information
During an interview, the pilot stated that before departure, weather information was obtained via radio from the airport air traffic control dispatcher, as well as through technical means—a SPOT-INRICH (Garmin tracker). However, according to statements from the duty meteorologist and the dispatcher of the Srednekolymsk control tower, the pilot did not contact meteorologists for a weather consultation before departure, nor did he request weather information from the dispatcher.