4 Jul 2012 16:44

Passenger helicopter goes off radar in Yakutia

MOSCOW. July 4 (Interfax) - A search is on in Yakutia for a passenger helicopter that went off radar a few hours ago, a source in local air traffic control services told Interfax.

"An AS-350 passenger helicopter flew out from Lensk to Site TZh at around noon and it was to land at the point of destination at 1:40 p.m. Moscow time. The helicopter did not arrive at the time set and did not go on air, the source said.

The helicopter was on a regular flight and it is owned by a major Siberian airline, he said.

Rescue helicopters are searching for the missing crew and passengers, whose exact number is not known yet, the source said.