Criminal inquiry opened into Mi-8 helicopter crash landing in Yakutia
IRKUTSK. July 2 (Interfax) - A criminal investigation has been started following the emergency landing of a Mil Mi-8 helicopter in Yakutia, the Russian Investigative Committee's East Siberian branch said in a press release.
The criminal case was opened on counts of violations of flight safety and aircraft operation rules accidentally resulting in the death of two or more persons.
According to investigators, the Mi-8 helicopter carrying 25 passengers and three crewmembers made a crash landing 45 kilometers northwest of the village of Deputatsky at around 5:00 a.m. Moscow time on July 2.
"Investigators are currently working to establish all of the circumstances of the accident. An investigative group is heading to the crash site. The criminal inquiry continues," it said.