Military helicopter crashed in Kyrgyzstan

According to Sputnik Kyrgyzstan, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Kyrgyz military crashed in Bishkek during a training flight. One individual has died, while seven crew members have been wounded.

The aircraft crashed in the morning on January 17 in the Frunze-1 district of the capital city of Bishkek. The Defense Ministry of Kyrgyzstan has already confirmed the incident.

«On January 17, a helicopter of the Kyrgyzstan Air Force reported a crash landing. According to preliminary information, one man has died,» the agency said in a statement.

Later, Defense Minister Baktybolot Bekbolotov said that the late member of the crew was the Mi-8 aircrew commander. Seven other crew members have been admitted to the hospital with different wounds.

Kyrgyz law enforcement officials have already seized the black box and opened a criminal case.

In September 2023, a single-engine plane crashed in Kazakhstan. Two men died: a commander (pilot-instructor) and a student of the Talgat Bigeldinov Military Institute of the Air Defense Forces.

In February 2023, a Mi-8 helicopter of Kazaviaspas crash landed 54 kilometers from Oral in West Kazakhstan. Four people were killed. The aviation authority of Kazakhstan promised to check all air companies exploiting Mi-8 helicopters.