Images have emerged showing the wreckage of an MI-8 helicopter that crashed in North Waziristan, killing six people. The chartered helicopter, carrying 14 people including three Russian pilots, crashed during takeoff. Eight others sustained injuries.
The released images reveal significant damage to the helicopter’s tail rotor and main body. Initial reports following the Saturday crash indicated engine failure during takeoff, leading to an attempted emergency landing where the tail rotor struck the ground.
Aviation sources indicate the helicopter was wet-leased (leased with crew) from Princesly Jet, a Pakistani company providing chartered flights, to Mari Petroleum. The helicopter was en route to Mari Petroleum’s Shiva oil field in North Waziristan when the accident occurred.
The images further show damage to the helicopter’s cockpit, in addition to the tail rotor and main body.