Crash IAAC Mi-171Sh
On 7 December 2021 in the afternoon, a Mi-171Sh of the Iraqi Army Aviation Command (IAAC) suffered a technical failure that led to a forced landing in the Al-Rifa'i District in the Dhi Qar Governorate (80 km north of Nasiriyah and 300 km south of Baghdad).
The landing was really hard and destroyed the helicopter. The Mi-171Sh was transporting the Commander of Al Shaibah air base, among others. Some occupants were injured and were taken to hospital. As far as Scramble Magazine is informed there were no casualties and the authorities are now investigating the cause of the crash.
The transport helicopter was operated by 15th Special Operations Squadron The Night Wolves that is headquartered at Taji air base. This unit operates approximately seventeen Mi-171 helicopters, of which two are in VIP configuration (YI-443 and YI-444).
The accident with the Mi-171 is the second crash of this type this year in Iraq. On 28 July 2021, a Mi-171 was reportedly shot down by Iranian militia in the Saladin Governorate, sadly killing all on board.
More information on the Iraqi Army Aviation Air Order of Battle (AOB) can be found at the Scramble Magazine website.
Photos via Iraqi social media