Back to Breaking news

Mil Design Bureau`s Official Statement on Mi-8 Crash

A Mi-8 helicopter (registry # 34) took off at 9.18 a.m. from the military airfield at Levashovo nearby St. Petersburg. Four minutes later the helicopter slammed to the runway due to the failure of the tail rotor. The Mi-8 helicopter piloted by Major S. Khlyunkin, belonged to the Sixth Air Force and Air Defense Army. The crash took lives of nineteen people, including sixteen paratroopers, who were members of Russia`s joint parachute team.

It is with deep sorrow, that we learned about this tragic air disaster. The Mil helicopter plant's staff expresses its sincere sympathies to relatives and friends of the crash victims.

Since 1961, the Mil plant produced nearly 11 thousand Mi-8 helicopters and its modifications. Over the years, Mi-8 became a most widespread and safest helicopter in the world. When helicopter and parts are properly maintained and the upgrade is endorsed by the Mil plant, the accident rate is close to zero. Unfortunately, on recent occasions certain operators modernized and maintained Mi-helicopters without Mil plant's endorsement. As a result, helicopters were often fitted with uncertified spare parts of obscure origin.

Likewise, there were instances when the life cycle of helicopters, equipment and systems was extended in a simplified manner, on the basis of only visual reviews.

The Mil plant warns that the above actions of certain irresponsible operators result in the loss of human lives.