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On the progress of investigation into crash of Robinson R-44 helicopter in the Moscow Region

During the investigation of a criminal case initiated on the basis of a crime under Part 3 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of traffic safety rules and the operation of air transport), it was established that the aircraft - a Robinson R-44 helicopter - provided services for conducting excursion flights. On this fact, the Western Interregional Transport Investigations Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia initiated a criminal case on the fact of the provision of services that do not meet the requirements of the safety of life or health of consumers, which inadvertently entailed the death of two or more persons (Part 3 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

The investigation established that on October 3, 2021, an individual entrepreneur provided a service in the form of organizing and providing an excursion flight for two passengers on a Robinson R-44 helicopter with tail number RA-04172 from the Myachkovo airfield. According to the investigation, the entrepreneur intended to provide services that did not meet the safety requirements for the life and health of consumers. During the sightseeing flight, the Robinson R-44 aircraft crashed on a site located in a forest belt in the area of the Lytkarino urban district, as a result of which the pilot and two passengers died on the spot.

In the course of urgent investigative actions and operational-search measures the person who organized excursion trips by air on the territory of the Myachkovo airfield was identified. An individual entrepreneur, born in 1977, was charged with committing a crime under Part 3 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of Russia. She did not admit guilt in the alleged crime.

The investigative team carried out additional inspections of the scene of the incident, as well as a search in the premises occupied by an individual entrepreneur, seized aircraft documentation and other documents, fuel samples, and questioned witnesses. A complex of forensic examinations was appointed and a complex of investigative actions and operational-search measures were organized, aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the incident.

Previously the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia instructed the Central Office of the Committee to supervise the process and the results of this probe.

In the nearest future, the court will examine an investigative motion on the election of a preventive measure.

The criminal investigation is ongoing.