unknown photographer

A Russian Mi-8MTV-1 in support of the United Nations. Strikingly, this UTair owned helicopter was severely damaged in July 2006 as ZS-RUC while fighting a fire in the forests near Spitskop (South Africa) when it lost power while uplifting water. The pilot released the bambi bucket but his helo lost altitude, hit the water, turned onto the side and started sinking with all three crew escaping unhurt. The wreck was recovered and the helicopter was cancelled from register on 19 March 2008. It was rebuilt and again taken on charge with UTair for UN-service.