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A Mil Mi-17 helicopter operated by the Fuerza Aérea del Perú crashed on Sunday, 22 February 2026, near Chala Viejo in southern Peru. The helicopter was flying from Pisco Airport to Chala in the Arequipa region . It lost contact during the en route phase at around 16:30 local time. Search teams were sent to the area after the aircraft was reported missing. On 23 February, authorities confirmed that the wreckage had been found near Chala Viejo. All 15 people on board — four crew members and eleven passengers — were killed in the crash. The helicopter was destroyed. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Officials have not yet released further details about what led to the crash About the Mi-17 Helicopter The Mi-17 helicopter is a medium transport aircraft originally developed in the Soviet Union. It is an improved version of the older Mi-8 helicopter and is widely used in many countries around the world. Because of its strong design and reliable performance, it has become ...