On July 16, 2022, a Robinson R-44 II, registration RA-07350, was engaged in a planned flight through the Kronotsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve in Russia. The flight route was intended to include several landmarks, including Geyser Valley, Uzon volcano, Kizimen volcano, Tumrok sources, and Tolbachik volcano, before returning to the Milkovo landing site.
The aircraft was based at a landing site approximately 1.2 km east of the Milkovo airfield control tower. Prior to the flight, the owner had obtained IFR permission from the Magadan Air Traffic Control Center and coordinated the route and landings with the administration of the Kronotsky Reserve. On the morning of the accident, the pilot performed operational maintenance at the Milkovo site.
At the time of departure, the takeoff weight of RA-07350, including the pilot, passengers, and AVGAS 100LL fuel, was within the maximum takeoff weight limitations of 1,089 kg specified in the Robinson R-44 II flight manual. The pilot and passengers arrived at the landing site separately by 11:45.
The accident resulted in three fatalities. The investigation into the crash focused on the pilot's management of environmental conditions during the flight.