Robinson R44 accident near Sakha Republic, Ru, August 14, 2015
On August 14, 2015 at about 10:55 am local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered RA04339, was destroyed in an accident during post (impact) near Sakha Republic. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2015 · about 10:55 am local time
- Place
- Sakha Republic, Russia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- RA04339 · no longer on the register · serial 13110
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact) defining event
Pilot
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Kolymskiy Express, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Sakha at 10:55 am
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.