News

The investigating bodies of the Northwestern Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee continue investigating a criminal case over a Mi-8 helicopter crash in the Murmansk Region as containing signs of a crime under part 3 of article 263 of the RF Penal Code (violation of safety rules of aircraft traffic entailing death of two or more people by negligence).

The crash scene is being examined. The voice cockpit recorder and the second recorder registering the flight parameters were found at night of 3 June 2014. Both of them were sent to specialists. 15 dead bodies were found during the search-and-rescue operations. By now the investigators have had all 15 bodies identified. The underwater search operations are ongoing.

By the present moment the relatives of those killed have been recognized victims and questioned. The investigators have questioned as witnesses officials of ZAO Spark-Avia Airlines, ZAO Spark and acquaintances of the victims. The second mechanic explained that he had been dropped at the Karelsky Porog camping site, where the helicopter had to have come back for the night after the flight.

A Mi-26 helicopter is scheduled to arrive today at 3 Pm to lift the Mi-8.

The investigation and SAR operations are ongoing.