Flight Safety Foundation
Heroism Award

presented to

Innokentiy Pavlovitch Tzivilev

For performing actions, despite his own serious and painful injury, that were instrumental in helping his fellow aircraft accident victims to survive.

Tzivilev was the flight engineer on a Mil Mi-8 helicopter that was on a daylight commercial flight over the Kamchatka Peninsula to deliver food and other essential supplies to a northern village on March 26, 1997. During the flight, icing conditions forced the pilot to fly at a very low altitude in blowing snow, and the aircraft collided with terrain. The helicopter overturned and was destroyed by fire; the five occupants were ejected from the helicopter. One other crew member and one passenger were killed. Tzivilev, the copilot and one passenger survived the accident, but the copilot and passenger were unable to move because of injuries.

Tzivilev, who had sustained a fractured leg and was in terrible pain, bandaged the others’ wounds, dug a shelter in the snow for them and collected food from the scattered cargo. Believing that their chances of survival would be diminished if they succumbed to sleep, he helped them to stay awake, and he helped to maintain their morale while awaiting rescue. During conditions of temperatures well below zero and high wind, Tzivilev traveled more than two kilometers to a nearby forest to gather firewood.

The adverse weather conditions hampered search-and-rescue efforts, and the survivors were rescued 44 hours after the accident.

Tzivilev’s conduct displayed extraordinary concern for others, and his skill and tenacity under the most trying conditions contributed significantly to the survival of the copilot and passenger. His performance in a critical situation reflects the highest traditions of the aviation community. Flight Safety Foundation and the award sponsor, Kidde Technologies Inc., are proud to recognize Tzivilev with the Flight Safety Foundation Heroism Award.

FSF 50th annual International Air Safety Seminar
Washington, D.C.
November 5, 1997

Stuart Matthews
Chairman, President and CEO
Flight Safety Foundation

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