Russian Citizens Confirmed Dead in Pakistan Helicopter Crash
Embassy reveals two Russians and a Belarusian pilot among six killed in North Waziristan incident
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan has confirmed the deaths of two Russian nationals, Nikolai Rybakovich and Samvel Mardoian, in a helicopter crash in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, last week.
In a statement, the embassy also noted that a Belarusian pilot, Sergei Koshelev, was among those killed. “They were on board the helicopter that crashed on September 28 in North Waziristan,” the statement said.
The embassy expressed its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims, and wished a swift recovery to those injured in the incident.
The three were among six people who lost their lives when the chartered helicopter, carrying six crew members, a safety officer, and 14 passengers, crashed in the KP district.
The helicopter, an MI-8, was chartered by Mari Petroleum, a Pakistani oil exploration and production company, and crashed near the Shewa oil field due to a technical issue, according to sources.
The Russian-made helicopter had been “wet-leased” by Princely Jet Company from the Russian firm PANH Helicopters, as per the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA confirmed that the helicopter had a valid six-month air operator certificate, set to expire on September 28, 2024.
The lease agreement placed responsibility for the helicopter’s maintenance and crew training on the Russian company PANH, the statement added. Further investigations into the crash will be carried out by the Bureau of Safety Investigation.
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