What happened
On September 28, 2024, a Mi-8-MTV-1 helicopter with registration RA-24537, operated by Princely Jets for MPCL personnel transport, departed Islamabad International Airport for the Shewa Helipad in North Waziristan. After landing and exchanging passengers, the aircraft took off from Shewa toward Bannu.
Approximately 2.69 nautical miles from Shewa, the left engine experienced an uncommanded in-flight shutdown. The crew attempted to return to Shewa but discontinued the approach short of the helipad. They turned left to attempt a running landing on a nearby level field near an MPCL natural gas rig. After touching down, the helicopter traveled 63 meters before its main rotor blades struck a 10-meter light pole. The impact caused the aircraft to turn right and travel another 73 meters into a concrete bunker structure.
The collision resulted in the separation of the tail boom and severe fuselage breakage. The right engine continued running for eight minutes, causing heavy vibrations. Six individuals were killed at the scene: three Russian flight crew members and three Pakistani passengers. One additional passenger later died in a hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.
The investigation
The Bureau of Aircraft Safety Investigation Pakistan (BASIP) conducted the safety investigation in accordance with ICAO Annex-13. A team visited the site to collect evidence, including damaged Flight Data Recorders (FDR), Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR), and navigation equipment. Data readout in Moscow revealed that the left engine stopped suddenly within two seconds, while the right engine operated normally until landing. The cause of the left engine failure could not be established from the data.
Findings
The investigation determined that the left engine suffered an uncommanded in-flight shutdown, which led to the loss of control and subsequent crash. The exact mechanical or operational cause of the engine failure remains under examination by OEM facilities in Russia. Medical examinations confirmed deaths were due to high-energy blunt trauma, with no evidence of drug intoxication.
Safety action
The left engine and brake system are being transported to original equipment manufacturer facilities in Russia for tear-down examination. The final investigation report is pending further analysis of wreckage, flight recorder data, and maintenance records.