Igor Kan, 59, became ill while flying tourists to see the Krasheninnikov volcano in eastern Russia which erupted this week and he was able to make an emergency landing – but he could not be saved
A pilot suffering a heart attack heroically landed a helicopter carrying tourists on an active volcano before he died.
Igor Kan, 59, became ill on a single pilot Robinson as he was taking three holidaymakers to see the Krasheninnikov volcano in eastern Russia which erupted this week for the first time in 600 years. He made an emergency landing, saving the lives of his passengers, but he tragically died before medical assistance arrived to help him. Aviaincident channel reported: “The pilot of a private helicopter carrying four passengers suffered a heart attack, but managed to make an emergency landing.
“(He) requested medical assistance but the pilot died before the arrival of the medical helicopter.” It comes after Ryanair passengers band together as staff charge woman £75 luggage fee.
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While the regional prosecutor’s office in Kamchatka confirmed that he was forced into emergency landing. It stated: “He felt unwell during the landing on the volcano.” And a medical helicopter came but he could not be saved, while the other people who had been onboard were evacuated.
“During the flight, the pilot felt ill, but he was able to land the aircraft,” reported Region 41 media outlet. “Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the man. Rescuers quickly arrived on a Mi-8 helicopter of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and evacuated everyone to the city of Elizovo.”
“After landing, the pilot reported a heart attack. An air ambulance was being prepared to take off, but during this time, the man’s condition worsened. It was not possible to save him,” added Gazeta news outlet. The body of the tragic pilot was taken down from the volcano.
The pilot offered £4,700 flights to the spectacular Krasheninnikov volcano as well as the Valley of the Geysers, one of Russia’s leading tourists sights. News outlet 112 said: “Three tourists were evacuated from the volcano. They were not injured. All were taken to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, [the regional capital].”
The pilot underwent regular medical examinations and had no health complaints, according to his acquaintances. He regularly flew tourists on excursions in his private Robinson helicopter.
Some reports said there had been six tourists on the helicopter, but his model was a Robinson R44, which has four seats, allowing for the pilot and three passengers.
A probe has been launched into the incident. The volcano erupted this week for the first time in centuries after a major undersea earthquake off Kamchatka of 8.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning across the Pacific Ocean.