Russian Mi-8 Rolls Into Ditch During Emergency Landing on Highway After Running Out of Fuel

A Russian Mi-8 military transport helicopter made a “hard landing” on a highway and rolled into a ditch on Sakhalin Island.

Interfax news agency reported the incident.

Russian propagandist Ilya Tumanov, who runs the aviation-focused Fighterbomber Telegram channel, published a video of the incident online and commented on it.

He mentioned that the emergency landing was caused by both engines shutting down after the helicopter completely ran out of fuel. The helicopter landed about 5 kilometers short of the airfield.

The incident occurred in the Dolinsky District of the Sakhalin region. On board were representatives of the local regional election commission, four television journalists, and three crew members. The passengers and crew members suffered bruises and scratches.

The Mi-8 was returning from Cape Patience, where it had been supporting early voting for residents of remote areas.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense provides air transport to support voting in remote areas.

An investigation is expected to determine why the military transport helicopter ran out of fuel.