Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb.11 / Trend, I.Izzet, E.Mehdiyev /
One of Mi-17 crew members, died in a helicopter crash near Baku, has been found. The search operations for two more members are underway.
According to the informed sources, pilot Yashar Ahmadov, mechanics Bahruz Zeynalov and Rustam Rustamov were on board of the helicopter.
A helicopter belonging to Azerbaijani Air Force disappeared from radar screens on Monday at 10.30 and crashed near the beach in the Shikhov settlement, the Defense Ministry said.
At present, rescue operations are underway, the Defense Ministry said.
As Trend correspondent reported from the scene, according to the preliminary data, the crash was due to poor visibility caused by dense fog. The helicopter fell into the sea at a distance of 250 meters from the shore. Additional forces are involved in the rescue operation. In addition to helicopters of the Emergency Situations Ministry and Defense Ministry, six ships are also involved.
According to witnesses, an explosion was heard when the helicopter crashed
Four ambulances are sent to the scene, Baku City Ambulance and Emergency Station told Trend.
Modernization of the Mi-8 helicopter, which ended in 1980, led to the creation of an improved version - Mi-8MT (designation Mi-17 is for export). The Mi-17 was fitted with 2 TV3-117 engines. Number of crew members on board of these helicopters is three people, while passengers - 24 people.