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RUSSIAN MI-24 HELICOPTER CRASH-LANDS IN TAJIKISTAN

RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, March 29 (RIA Novosti) - According to a Russian uniformed official, a Mi-24 helicopter operated by the Russian border guards in Tajikistan has crash-landed 100 km away from the capital city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan. No casualties have been reported, with several personnel having suffered various injuries.

"During the preparations for CSTO's Exercise Rubezh 2005, a Mi-24 helicopter on a training mission has crashed en route from Dushanbe to Nurek. The machine was piloted Yerkin. No fatalities have been reported," the officer said.

There were four more personnel on board in addition to the pilot. They were other crewmembers and technicians.

FSB's Border Guard Service spokesman confirmed the crash: "There have been no fatalities, and the number of the injured is being found out."

The spokesman of the Space Force told RIA Novosti that the machine was performing a scheduled landing on the helipad of the Okno optronic surveillance system.

"According to eye witnesses, on landing approach, the helicopter banked suddenly and sank, hitting the ground and catching fire. Owing to the Okno system's personnel, the fire was put out quickly and those onboard were promptly rescued from the helicopter. No grave injuries were suffered," the spokesman said. "Since the helicopter was landing on the helipad, it must have suffered some technical problem."

The officers also said that the cause of the crash was to be investigated. The Okno optronic surveillance system is designed for searching for and tracking objects in outer space out at 40,000 km.

The Military Prosecutor's Office has launched a probe into the accident.