A private Ka-226 helicopter flying from Kizlyar to Izberbash in Dagestan crashed into an empty house near the village of Achi-Su in the Karabudakhkent district. It was reported that employees of the Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant (KEMZ Concern) were on board the helicopter.
According to Israfil Israfilov, Head of the Regional Control Centre, there were seven people on board. Four people lost their lives in the crash, while three others sustained injuries of varying severity. The injured were taken to the Izberbash Central City Hospital, where one person is reported to be in critical condition.
According to information provided by RIA Novosti, the helicopter was completely engulfed in flames after the crash. Officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations have launched a large-scale investigation at the crash site. Rosaviatsia (Federal Air Transport Agency) described the incident as a “catastrophe” and announced that experts from the Interstate Aviation Committee were dispatched to the region to investigate the causes of the accident.
The Western Interregional Transport Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case on suspicion of safety violations resulting in multiple deaths.
Dagestan State Head Sergey Melikov instructed that medical assistance be provided to the injured without delay and announced that a comprehensive investigation into the incident is underway.
Initial reports suggest that the helicopter may have suffered an engine fire during flight. Sources speaking to RIA Novosti indicated that a technical malfunction could have triggered the blaze. Eyewitnesses stated that the helicopter circled in the air in search of a landing spot before crashing and that thick smoke was visible in the sky.
TASS confirmed that the helicopter belonged to the Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant and reported that it was carrying factory employees en route to Izberbash at the time of the accident.
As technical examinations continue, authorities announced that detailed analyses are being conducted on the black box and engine systems to determine the exact cause of the crash.
