Flight of Mi-8 helicopter that crashed in Kirovohrad region was unauthorized, says prosecutor's office

The investigation is considering three possible causes for a crash of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's Mi-8 helicopter in which servicemen were killed.

Military prosecutor of the Southern region of Ukraine for supervision of law observation in the military sphere, Ihor Papusha, said at a press briefing that the investigation is considering the following possible causes for the crash: misuse of the helicopter, violation of flight regulations, and violation of the flight preparation rules.

Papusha said that a criminal case has been opened on the helicopter crash and death of the servicemen under Article 416 (violation of flight regulations that resulted into a crash) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The prosecutor stressed that the helicopter carried out an unauthorized flight on December 25, particularly due to bad weather conditions.

A special commission of investigators from the prosecutor's office and the Interior Ministry of Ukraine is examining the scene. The investigators have found a flight recorder and are checking it.

As reported, a Ukrainian Interior Ministry helicopter crashed in Kirovohrad region, killing five people on December 25. The crash occurred at the Oleksandria airfield at about 1600.

"For unknown reasons, a Mi-8 helicopter started dipping down soon after climbing and collided with the ground. Three crewmembers and two ground service specialists tragically died in the crash," the Interior Ministry said.