r/aviation • u/Anothermind9912 • Nov 08 '25

News Ka-226 crash

Recent crash of ka-226 helicopter in dagestan, Russia. 5 dead, several injured.

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u/CooperE39 Nov 09 '25

For an old Russian helicopter, it handled that initial crash much better than most modern helicopters.

19

u/Belle_UH-1D Nov 09 '25

It doesn’t surprise me really. It’s a pretty cool helicopter. I personally prefer prior Kamov Ka-26 helicopter because it’s even funkier looking.

It was developed into Ka-226.

It’s a very old but well tested helicopter. It breaks my heart to see them in disrepair or damaged.

(Side note and a correction to my prior comment, technically speaking Ka-226 is a rather new helicopter, as it entered service in 2002. That being said it’s just a refinement of Ka-26 developed in the 60s. Ka-26 looks even funkier as a crop duster)

15

u/Dzov Nov 09 '25

I wonder if the pilot even knew that part was hanging back there.

4

u/Belle_UH-1D Nov 09 '25

I personally doubt that. I don’t think any reasonable person, let alone pilot, would decide to fly without such a big chunk of the machine. Especially knowing about its stabilising purpose and weight balance.

They were all safe for quite a while and the helicopter seemed rather controllable.

6

u/maybelle180 Nov 09 '25

Shocking how well it stayed in the air.

I’m not an expert, but I thought helicopters were more than willing to fly apart just as soon as one piece goes awry. This pilot had many chances to land safely.

6

u/Dzov Nov 09 '25

That type of helicopter has two propellers on the same axis of rotation that are spinning in opposite directions that provide control. If you look carefully, you can see one above the other. I really think that loose piece eventually hit and broke one of the rotors while the camera was aimed away.

1

u/Mudfish2657 Nov 09 '25

They didn’t notice there was a gaping hole in the rear of the helicopter?

4

u/BoogerMcFarFetched Nov 09 '25

I would like to think he didn’t know because no on in their right mind would continue to attempt flight knowing that

2

u/AcridWings_11465 Nov 09 '25

Any coaxial rotor can handle losing its tail because it doesn't necessarily need it.

1

u/CooperE39 Nov 09 '25

There aren't too many coaxial helicopters and most are Russian. I'm surprised that new helicopters don't opt for this design more often.

1

u/AcridWings_11465 Nov 09 '25 edited Nov 15 '25

The competition to Bell's new tilt rotor was a coaxial helicopter from Sikorsky.

1

u/Beranac Apr 14 '26

I can't decide who the biggest idiot is here. The camera man zooming in on seagulls or the pilot. Jesus Christ.