Investigators probing the 2 July crash of a Mil Mi-8 helicopter in Russia in which 24 people were killed have recovered the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
Russia's interstate aviation committee MAK says the crash site of the Polar Airlines-operated helicopter is located at a height of 650m (2,130ft) on the flank of a 772m mountain some 39.5km (21nm) northeast of the helicopter's departure point of Deputatsky, in the country's far east.
MAK gives the recommended safe altitude to clear the terrain as 1,300m.
The helicopter appears to have hit the mountainside with its tail and rear undercarriage at a high pitch, says MAK. No evidence of impact from the nose gear has been discovered.
A fire followed the crash, leaving much of the aircraft burnt out. However, the Mil's engines and certain control systems have been recovered.
Russia's emergencies ministry says the Mi-8 (RA-22657) was transporting three crew and 25 passengers, including 11 children, from Deputatsky to Kazachye.
Four survivors were later rescued, although search efforts were hampered by cloud cover, adverse weather and the remote taiga landscape.
Source: Flight International
