Arrival and Purpose
On May 14, 2021, a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration RA-06358, arrived at Vaskovo airfield in Arkhangelsk. The helicopter was to perform transport of fishermen and hunters, including the aircraft owner, from a tourist base (fishing and hunting complex "Zheleznye Vorota") located on the northern part of Mudyugsky Island (designated as Mudyug Severny) to fishing and hunting sites and back.
Pilot Authorization
The pilot (commander) operated the helicopter under a power of attorney issued by the aircraft owner. According to information provided by the owner, he had known the pilot for more than eight years and trusted him. The pilot had on multiple occasions, at the owner's request, performed flights on the Robinson R66 RA-06358.
Flight on May 15, 2021
On May 15, 2021, at 07:04, the pilot took off from Vaskovo airfield for a flight to the tourist base. He returned to Vaskovo at 08:17. Before this departure, the pilot did not undergo a medical examination, although a medical professional was available at the airfield (see also section 1.18 of the report).
Flight on May 16, 2021
On May 16, 2021, again without a pre-flight medical examination, the pilot performed a planned flight from Vaskovo to the tourist base. The takeoff occurred at 06:02 under the control of the Vaskovo tower controller. The flight to the base was conducted under the control of the Arkhangelsk approach controller. At 06:24:23, the pilot reported to the controller that he had landed and completed the flight.
Communication Record
An excerpt from the radio communication (transcript No. 06003) between the controller and the crew of the Arkhangelsk approach unit recorded: "...06:24:23: Crew – 06358, landed at Mudyug Severny, parking for the night. Controller – 06358, roger, landing at 24 minutes, contact or call before departure."
Note: Flight plans for airspace use are categorized according to the Federal Rules for the Use of Airspace of the Russian Federation, with paragraph 107 defining plans of flight operations and paragraph 108 specifying the submission of airspace use plans.