GROZNY. Oct 21 (Interfax-AVN) - Investigators have not confirmed reports that an MI-8 Hip helicopter that crashed in Chechnya on October 17 allegedly came under fire from the ground.
"Appropriate examinations of the crash site have been conducted. The theory of a shelling has not been confirmed," Chechnya's Prosecutor Nikolai Kostyuchenko told Interfax on Monday.
Earlier, Colonel Boris Podoprigora, deputy commander of the Combined Federal Forces in the North Caucasus, told Interfax that the helicopter came under rebel fire. This theory was backed by the pilot's report about a flash preceding the incident.
"It has been established that the flash was caused by the helicopter colliding with a power line," Kostyuchenko said.
The military prosecutor's office of the Combined Federal Forces opened a criminal case on charges of violating flight regulations.
The investigation believes that the incident was most likely caused by violation of flight regulations or poor maintenance of the helicopter.
A crewmember died form the injuries he sustained in the crash. Two people are still listed as missing. The rest of the policemen onboard the helicopter were rescued.