Aircraft and Base
The helicopter was a Robinson R44, registered as RA-04168. It was based at a landing site near the settlement of Karandashevskaya in the Primorsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. The site was selected from the air.
Flight Operations
On 25 September 2024, the helicopter performed three flights:
- First flight: 16:18–18:12 (daytime). Route: from the base near Karandashevskaya to a site near Lake Vapsh, selected from the air and located at coordinates 66°0'11.82"N, 47°57'28.29"E.
- Second flight: 18:18–18:48 (after sunset, landing after dark). Route: from the Lake Vapsh site to a site near the settlement of Yezovets in the Mezensky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast.
- Third flight: 19:04–19:29 (night). Route: from the Yezovets site to a site near the settlement of Bychye in the Mezensky District.
All flights were conducted for personal purposes. Two persons were on board the helicopter during these flights. The helicopter was operated with the flight controls removed from the left seat. The investigation commission was unable to determine which occupant was piloting during these three flights.
Fourth Flight and Accident
A fourth flight took place after the third flight. This flight ended in an accident. The source provides no further details regarding the nature of the accident, injuries, damage, or circumstances beyond stating that the person occupying the right seat during this fourth flight is referred to as “the person who occupied the right seat during the fourth flight that ended in an accident.”