On September 10, 2023, a Robinson R-44, registration RA-05823, was involved in an aviation incident in the Vozhegodsky District of Russia. The aircraft struck the water surface of Lake Vozhe during flight.
The investigation determined that the helicopter was flying at an altitude of less than 200 feet (approximately 60 meters) above the lake. During this low-level flight, the pilot misperceived the aircraft's altitude while flying over a non-contrasting water area.
The descent became uncontrolled, leading to the collision with the water. The investigation noted that the pilot failed to adhere to the safety warnings outlined in the R-44 flight manual, specifically safety warning SN-19.
While the investigation examined whether a passenger's physical impact on the pilot contributed to the crash, a definitive determination regarding that specific factor could not be made. The incident resulted in one fatality.