Polar Airlines Flight 9949
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Russia |
Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence
On 2 July 2013, Polar Airlines Flight 9949, a Mil Mi-8 helicopter operated by Polar Airlines, crashed close to Deputatsky, an urban settlement within the Ust-Yansky District of the Sakha Republic, Russia. The aircraft was carrying a total of 28 individuals, including 25 passengers—among them 11 children—and three crew members. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the accident resulted in 24 fatalities, with the three crew members and one child surviving. Initial accounts indicated that adverse wind conditions led to loss of control by the pilot. The incident was subject to investigation by the Interstate Aviation Committee.
Accident
At approximately 10:00 PM local time, the flight crew completed their pre-flight medical assessments at Deputatsky’s local hospital and were deemed fit for duty. The helicopter was refueled with 2800 liters of anti-icing aviation fuel by the flight mechanic. By 10:30 PM, the pilots reviewed and approved the meteorological briefing for their planned route, finding no adverse weather concerns.
At 11:38 PM, the Pilot in Command requested permission to commence engine start and operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), both of which were granted. Flight 9949 received takeoff clearance at 11:51 PM—51 minutes later than scheduled—and shortly after lifted off, executing a right turn. The last radio contact from the crew was at 11:58:46 PM when they communicated their status to dispatch.
The helicopter collided with an elevated terrain feature at 12:13 AM, resulting in complete destruction of the aircraft. At 12:34 AM, the Pilot in Command used a satellite phone to report the crash and confirmed there were survivors amid multiple fatalities. Ultimately, all three crew members and one passenger survived the accident.
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