A Russian helicopter pilot faced a critical decision following a tragic crash that claimed the lives of five individuals. Video footage captured the harrowing incident in Russia’s Republic of Dagestan as the helicopter attempted to land on November 7, hitting a pier and damaging its tail. Despite the damage, the pilot opted to fly towards open water before the helicopter ultimately crashed into a home, resulting in the fatalities of five senior members of a Russian defense manufacturer.
The helicopter, identified as the Ka-226, was transporting employees of a defense plant with ties to warfare when its tail broke off during the flight. The crash led to the deaths of four occupants, while three survivors sustained severe injuries. The sequence of events was recorded on camera, showing the helicopter striking a pier, causing the tail to detach but remain connected as the aircraft briefly lifted off the ground.
In a puzzling move, the pilot lifted the helicopter back into the air after the initial crash, flying over the sea with the damaged tail. However, the aircraft soon lost control in its attempt to gain altitude over the water. Subsequently, the pilot tried to make an emergency landing on land, but the helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed.
Additional CCTV footage revealed the helicopter engulfed in flames near the shore following the crash, with reports indicating that only three individuals survived and are currently receiving intensive care. The pilot’s decision to head towards deep water instead of the safer shallows has sparked criticism among fellow pilots, with some speculating that the pilot may have been under the influence of alcohol.
Ruslan Leviev, the founder of Conflict Intelligence Team, commented on the situation, suggesting that the pilot’s actions appeared erratic and potentially influenced by intoxication. The crash claimed the lives of four senior staff members from the Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant, a company involved in producing equipment for military aircraft. The plant, known for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, specializes in ground control and diagnostic systems for military planes like Sukhoi and MiG.
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency classified the crash as a “catastrophe,” emphasizing the severity of the incident. The ill-fated Ka-226 was en route from Kizlyar to a recreational base when the tragedy occurred.
