Bell 429 accident near Rostov-Na-Dony, Ru, January 1, 2016
On January 1, 2016 at about 6:21 am local time, a Bell 429 (helicopter), registered RA01617, was destroyed in an accident during enroute near Rostov-Na-Dony. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- January 1, 2016 · about 6:21 am local time
- Place
- Rostov-Na-Dony, Russia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 429 · all 429s on the register
- Registration
- RA01617 · no longer on the register · serial 557197
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
Subject: ERA16WA081 Bell 429, RA-01617, Rostov-na-Dony, Russia On January 1, 2016, about 0621 universal coordinated time, a Bell 429, Russian registration RA-01617, was substantially damaged by collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent following a loss of aircraft control while on approach to land. The Russian certificated pilots were seriously injured. The flight was destined for Rostov-na-Dony, Russia. According to investigators, the helicopter had descended to approximately 90 feet altitude while on approach to land, when the helicopter began to rotate to the right and climb to an altitude of about 200 feet, before it descended uncontrolled to ground contact. The helicopter was operating in a river valley, and weather observations around the time of the accident included conditions conducive to restrictions to visibility due to freezing mist or fog. This accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Aviation Committee of Russia. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) Fax: +7(495) 953-57-42 Office phone: +7(495) 953-96-59 This report is for informational purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained from the Government of Russia.
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
- VFR encounter with IMC during enroute defining event
Pilot
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 4,244 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Pratt And Whitney PW207D1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt And Whitney PW207D1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: Flash Energy Company
The flight
- Departed from: Rostov-Na-Donu
- Destination: Rostov-Na-Dony
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: at 1 knots
- Temperature: 5°F (-15°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Observation at 6:30 am from URRR, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.