MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A large Russian helicopter carrying geologists to an Arctic island oil field crashed Sunday, killing the pilot and injuring 15 passengers, officials said.
The crash of the Mil Mi-8 happened as it was landing on the island of Yamal, now in 6 months of winter Arctic darkness, aviation officials told RIA Novosti.
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"The passengers received injuries of various degrees while the crew commander was killed," the unidentified spokesman said.
There were two other crewmembers aboard, but their fates weren't immediately known, the report said.
A second helicopter was dispatched to evacuate the injured.
The island is home to the Bovanenkovo hydrocarbon field, which is being developed by energy giant Gazprom, the news agency said.
