News

The investigating bodies of the Ural Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal investigation into a crime under part 3 of article 263 of the RF Penal Code (violation of safety standards for traffic and operation of an aircraft entailing death of two or more people by negligence) after a Mi-8 helicopter crashed in South Sudan.

According to investigators, on 26 August 2014, a Mi-8 helicopter of the UN mission in South Sudan and chartered by the UN with a captain, second pilot, flight mechanic and flight attendant aboard was carrying out a planned flight completing the mission leadership’s task to transport 2.5 tonnes of food from Wau to Bentiu. During the flight about three kilometers from Bentiu airfield the back of the Helicopter of YuTair airlines caught fire. During an emergency landing with high speed in smoke the helicopter collided with obstacles on the ground and fell apart. The captain, flight mechanic and flight attendant were killed in the crash, the second pilot was injured.

At present investigative operations are underway to find out all the circumstances of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.