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2016-05-03: Robinson R-44 II (RA-06364) — Российская Федерация, г. Санкт-Петербург, район п/п «Лахта»

Российская Федерация, г. Санкт-Петербург, район п/п «Лахта»

On May 3, 2016, a Robinson R-44 II (registration RA-06364) was involved in an aviation accident near Российская Федерация, г. Санкт-Петербург, район п/п «Лахта». No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: м: «Считать (ф.и.о.) закончившим Программу переподготовки пилотов на вертолёте Robinson R- 44 в АУЦ ЗАО «Русские Вертолётные Системы». Налёт на вертолёте R-44 составил 15 часов. This summary draws on records from the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK).

Sourcesthe Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK)Primary reportUpdated 1779712610Data APIEditorial standards

In May 2016, a pilot seeking employment with Merkuriy LLC arrived for a test flight in Robinson R-44 RA-06364. The instructor was unavailable, and the flight proceeded with verbal approval from administration. The flight plan was filed using another pilot's permit for restricted airspace.

Background

In early 2016, a pilot who had been laid off from the aviation unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Chechen Republic and was temporarily unemployed posted his resume online seeking a position as an R-44 helicopter pilot. In April, he was invited for an interview by the administration of Merkuriy LLC. Following the interview, his flight proficiency was assessed during a 50-minute flight. The instructor pilot decided that additional training was needed to practice emergency procedures due to a break in the pilot's R-44 flight experience.

Arrival and Planning

On May 2, 2016, the pilot arrived in St. Petersburg at the invitation of the administration and was met by a regular pilot of Merkuriy LLC. The visiting pilot was scheduled to fly a test flight with an instructor pilot of Merkuriy LLC on May 3, 2016. On that day, the pilot reported to the Lakhta landing site, where the R-44 helicopter with registration RA-06364 was based. However, due to operational needs, the instructor pilot could not be present at Lakhta. According to another regular pilot, the decision to proceed with the flight with the visiting pilot was verbally confirmed by a representative of the administration over the telephone.

Flight Operations

The administration of Merkuriy LLC did not provide the investigation committee with materials explaining the organization of flights on May 3, 2016, nor written explanations from the individuals who decided on the number and type of flights. The flight plan was filed with the Main Center of the Unified Air Traffic Management System via the internet by the regular Merkuriy pilot, but it was filed under the name of another pilot who held a permit from the St. Petersburg government's transport committee (Permit No. 86 of December 11, 2015) for using airspace within the flight restriction zone over St. Petersburg. The permit that included the regular pilot (Permit No. 28 of April 26, 2016) had not been communicated to him in a timely manner by the administration of Merkuriy LLC. The flight plan specified flights to be conducted on the same day.

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