Flight Planning
Flights were planned for 18 and 19 July 2025 on a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration RA-06368, under visual flight rules in Class C and G airspace. The intended route was from Kudaevo (Moscow region) to Artybash (Altai region) via intermediate points at an altitude of 300 meters. On 17 July 2025, the pilot submitted a flight plan to the air traffic control authority using the call sign R44 RA-05572, which was accepted and approved.
Pilot's Statement
According to an interview transcript, the pilot was asked by the aircraft owner to ferry the R66, whose airworthiness had expired. The pilot stated that no formal documentation was completed, no power of attorney was issued, and all arrangements were verbal. The owner provided the registration number R44 RA-05572 for the flight plan.
Departure
On 18 July 2024, at approximately 04:30 local time, the pilot arrived at Kudaevo and began pre-flight preparations. Meteorological conditions along the route were assessed as suitable for the decision to depart. At 05:38, the pilot took off from Kudaevo with a passenger on board.