A Russian-crewed Mi-8 helicopter, like the one pictured, was flying over eastern South Sudan on a reconnaissance mission for the United Nations when it was shot down.Fotopedia
A Russian helicopter transporting 28 people in the remote Siberian region of Yakutia crashed Tuesday, killing 11 children and eight adults, the A.P. reported.
The Mi-8 chopper went down in a mountainous region far from the nearest community.
The Interstate Aviation Committee, Russian's aviation regulator, said there were 28 people on board when the aircraft went down.
The Russian-designed Mi-8 is a twin-turbine transport helicopter used by about 50 countries. Besides transporting people and cargo, the aircraft, which was first produced 1961, also is used as a gunship. About 17,000 were built. It has a rated maximum range of 280 miles and a top speed of 237 miles per hour.
