Fatal Crash at Kattakurgan Military Training Camp: Mi-8 Helicopter Down
Tragedy Strikes as Helicopter Crew Killed in Training Accident
On November 17, 2023, a training flight at the “Kattakurgan” training camp took a tragic turn when a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to the Air Defense Forces and the Air Force Command crashed, resulting in the death of the entire crew. The Ministry of Defense has confirmed the unfortunate incident, with a special commission now working to determine the causes of the accident at the scene.
The specific number of crew members involved in the crash has not been disclosed. The Mi-8 helicopter, developed by the M. L. Mill Experimental Design Bureau in the early 1960s, has gained widespread use in over 50 countries for both civil and military tasks. Unofficial data indicates that there are 52 Mi-8 helicopters in Uzbekistan as of 2023.
This is not the first time Uzbekistan has faced such a devastating loss. On October 18, 2016, a Mi-171 helicopter of the Defense Ministry crashed in the Fergana region, resulting in the deaths of 9 military personnel.
As the nation mourns the loss of the helicopter crew, the Ministry of Defense is committed to investigating the accident thoroughly to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Our thoughts are with the families and colleagues of the fallen crew members during this difficult time.
