# NTSB ERA15WA324: Robinson R44, Sakha Republic, Russia, August 14, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Foreign investigation
- Date: August 14, 2015, 10:55 local (10:55 UTC)
- Place: Sakha Republic, Russia
- Phase of flight: [Post-impact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/700) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Led by another country's authority
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Lead agency: Other
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15WA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15WA324

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md)

## Factual narrative

On August 14, 2015, about 1055 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R-44, Russian Registration RA-04339, was substantially damaged after impacting a light pole shortly after departure from a mountainous landing area in the Sakha Republic, in the Russian Federation. The pilot was fatally injured and the two passengers sustained injuries. The flight was conducted under Russian flight regulations. According to preliminary information from the Interstate Aviation Committee, the flight departed from the landing area, the helicopter began a left turn, impacted a light pole about 6 meters in height, and subsequently impacted the ground. The helicopter then rolled onto its right side and a postimpact fire ensued. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Aviation Committee. Further information can be obtained from: Interstate Aviation Committee 22/2/1 Bolshaya Ordynka Street Moscow, 119017, Russia Telephone: +7 (495) 953-12-44 Fax: +7 (495) 953-35-08 This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Interstate Aviation Committee.

## Aircraft

- Registration: RA-04339 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R44
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 13110
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Non-U.S., non-commercial
- Operator: Kolymskiy Express, LLC
- Registered owner: Kolymskiy Express, LLC
- Departed: Sakha

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: fatal

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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