Nizhnevartovskavia Flight 544

Nizhnevartovskavia

Industry	Aviation
Headquarters	Nizhnevartovsk , Russia
Products	Helicopter services

Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence Nizhnevartovskavia Flight 544 was a civilian helicopter operated by Nizhnevartovskavia that was downed by forces of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) near Likuangole, South Sudan on December 21, 2012, resulting in the deaths of all four individuals aboard.

The helicopter was conducting a reconnaissance operation for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), tasked with assessing terrestrial routes and potential landing zones for humanitarian aid delivery. The mission commenced in Juba. After departing a refueling stop in Pibor, the aircraft came under fire from SPLA ground-based anti-aircraft artillery and subsequently crashed. The location of the crash was close to active combat zones between SPLA forces and Murle insurgents led by David Yau Yau.Template:Fix/category All four casualties were Russian citizens employed by Nizhnevartovskavia.

Reactions

Initially, the SPLA denied involvement in the downing, attributing responsibility to rebel groups instead. However, the South Sudanese government acknowledged its troops had shot down Flight 544 the following day. SPLA spokesperson Philip Aguer explained that an SPLA artillery unit mistakenly identified Flight 544 as an aircraft belonging to the Sudanese government, which had reportedly been operating in the area to support Yau Yau's militia. He added that prior to engaging, SPLA forces confirmed with UNMISS that no UN flights were scheduled in that region at that time.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon promptly condemned the SPLA’s attack on "distinctly marked" UN personnel, demanding accountability from South Sudan for those responsible and urging measures to avoid similar incidents moving forward.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin declared that Russia would pursue compensation from South Sudan for the families of the deceased crew members. He emphasized that Flight 544's crew had filed their flight plan and received security assurances from the SPLA, challenging South Sudan’s assertion regarding mistaken identity. He called on South Sudan to hold accountable those responsible and implement reforms to enhance protection for Russian nationals working in the country.

European Union representative Catherine Ashton issued a statement condemning the incident and urging full cooperation from the SPLA in investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootdown.

Investigation

The United Nations assumed custody of the "black box" flight recorder. However, the handover of the device to Russian authorities was postponed at the request of South Sudan's government, which had established its own investigative committee, and the transfer was ultimately finalized on January 21.

Aftermath

Although there was a directive for the SPLA to adopt measures preventing further attacks on UN personnel, another UNMISS helicopter came under gunfire on January 5, 2013, while stationed at Bau, South Sudan. This incident involved a Mil Mi-26 transport helicopter operated by the Russian company UTair. Fortunately, no injuries to crew members or damage to essential systems occurred, and the mission proceeded as intended.

References

• Ashton, Catherine (2012-12-22), Statement by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the attack on a U1 peacekeeping helicopter in South Sudan (PDF)
• Charbonneau, Louis; Nichols, Michelle; Laessing, Ulf (2012-12-22). "South Sudan admits it downed U.N. helicopter, killing four". Reuters. Juba. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
• Department of Public Information (2012-12-21), Condemning Shooting Down in Jonglei of UN Helicopter, Secretary-General Demands South Sudan Government Take Measures to Prevent Reoccurrence of Attacks, retrieved 2013-02-12
• "UNO: Ban verurteilt Abschuss von UN-Hubschrauber im Südsudan". Die Zeit. 2012-12-22. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
• Юрий ЗАРЕЦКИЙ. "Ушедшие в вечность". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
• "Bodies of Russians killed in Sudan arriving in Moscow". Voice of Russia. Moscow. 2012-12-27. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
• "UN crew killed as helicopter shot down in South Sudan". The Guardian. 2012-12-21. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
• "Russia does not receive black box from Mi-8 copter in Sudan". Itar-Tass. 2013-01-16. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
• "Russian helicopter's black box to be returned by South Sudan". Voice of Russia. Moscow. 2013-01-22. Archived from the original on 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
• "Punish those who shot UN chopper: Russia". The Australian. 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2013-02-12.