Technical failure and pilot error led to Mi‑8 crash near Ukraine
In the city of Rowieńki (Russia, Belgorod Oblast), located about several miles from Ukraine, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashed, EurAsia Daily reports. The main cause of the incident was said to be a machine failure. All four crew members survived.
The crash of the Russian Mi-8 helicopter near the border with Ukraine was attributed to two factors. First and foremost, the pilot was at fault for making incorrect decisions based on the aircraft's flight position indicator. The system – as we read – malfunctioned, leading to incorrect readings. Additionally, difficult weather conditions made it challenging to determine the Mi-8's position in the air. The helicopter crashed on the morning of March 21, but the information about this incident was released to the media 24 hours later.
The cause was a failure of one of the systems
A failure of one of the indicators in the crashed helicopter can be seen as further evidence of the deepening problems with Russia maintaining various types of machinery in proper condition. Recently, the crash of an Il-76, which went down shortly after take-off in mid-March, has been a telling sign of the difficulties with servicing units performing regular missions. It is possible that the incident near Ukraine with the Mi-8 is another element confirming deficiencies in the Russian "military-industrial complex".
It's worth noting that this is not the first instance in 2024 of an Mi-8 experiencing a failure. An identical helicopter crashed in the Bryansk Oblast at the beginning of January due to an engine failure.
Mi-8 Helicopter
Let's recall that the Mi-8 (known as Hip in NATO code) is a multi-purpose helicopter that originated in the 60s. Over the years, it has been developed into various versions (including reconnaissance, mine-laying, electronic warfare, etc.), with over 17,000 units produced throughout its entire production history.
Although the Mi-8 is generally known as a multi-purpose machine, given its capacity for 24 soldiers and its frequent use by the military for transporting troops or cargo (up to about 3.5 tonnes). It is powered by two Klimov TV2-117 turboshaft engines, each producing 2,000 horsepower, which enable a maximum speed of approximately 250 km/h.
The Mi-8 can operate at an altitude of about 4.5 kilometres, with a range of approximately 450 kilometres on a single tank of fuel. In its standard version, its armament includes 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns, but it is often fitted with electronic warfare systems and B-8V20A rocket pods with S-8 rockets.
