A Mi-171 helicopter crashes in Buryatia, casualties reported

The helicopter has crashed in Russian Buryatia while landing at the airport.

The Russian mass media reported about this.

According to local authorities, it was a Mi-171 intended for export.

As a result of the accident, the crew of three people was killed.

The helicopter crashed during landing at Baikal Airport in Ulan-Ude. After falling, it caught fire. There were no passengers on board, only three people of the crew.

Emergency services arrived at the scene and started extinguishing the fire.

Russian media reports that according to the previous version, the cause of the helicopter crash could have been a fire in the engine, another technical malfunction or pilot error.

According to the regional government, the helicopter that crashed was manufactured at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant and was not in service.

The fire broke out on the taxiway, not affecting the runway, the head of Buryatia reported.

According to local authorities, the aircraft was flying from Vostochny Airport to Baikal Airport. The helicopter was intended for export to China.

The Mi-171 is a Soviet/Russian multipurpose transport helicopter, which is a modern export modification of the Mi-8/Mi-17 with improved flight and operational characteristics.

The helicopter is designed for the transportation of personnel, goods and equipment inside the cargo cockpit. It can also be used to evacuate the wounded, provide emergency medical care on board, and conduct search and rescue operations.