Crash Gyrocopter Is Zapped By Exploding Powerline

Story ByAnna Casap, Sub EditorAlex CopeAgencyCentral European News

Video Credit: CEN/@Aleksandr Bykov

This is the moment a gyrocopter is zapped by a high-voltage line and plummets into a body of water just before the cable explodes.

The incident happened above the Klyazma reservoir which is located in the city of Dolgoprudny in the Russian Moscow Region.

The gyrocopter can be seen silhouetted against the early evening sunset and is being filmed by a person at the edge of the reservoir as it whirls through the air.

Picture Credit: CEN/@Aleksandr Bykov

But the pilot, who was reportedly travelling with another adult, clearly fails to see the high-voltage cable stretched across the body of water, and the tiny aircraft begins falling as it gets too close to the cable. It is unclear if it struck the high-voltage cable or if it was simply zapped when it got too close.

The nose of the vehicle drops towards the water as a piece of the vehicle flies off and the gyrocopter with its blades still whirling then crashes into the water. Seconds later the cable can be seen exploding in a flash of light and a puff of smoke as a result of the incident.

Picture Credit: CEN/@Aleksandr Bykov

The Moscow Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that the gyrocopter fell into the water from a height of around 50 metres (164 feet) and that the two adults were killed as a result.

They said that the two people involved were 52-year-old man, who was the owner and pilot, and his 31-year-old son. Neither have been named in reports.

Elena Markovskaya, the Senior Assistant to the Head of the Moscow Interregional Transport Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee, confirmed that a criminal case has been opened over the incident despite the fact that the men died.

Picture Credit: CEN/@Aleksandr Bykov

Prosecutors are looking at the fact that the aircraft had apparently violated air traffic safety regulations.

There have been no updates as the police investigation continues.

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