News about the loss of a Robinson helicopter and the five-time junior world champion biathlete Igor Malinovsky surfaced on July 16 around 14:00 Moscow time. A Telegram channel reported that the helicopter, flying from the Uzon valley in the Kronotsky Reserve to Milkovo, suddenly lost radio contact and vanished from radar. Reports suggested the pilot may have attempted a landing to ride out bad weather.
Rescue teams began a search for the missing aircraft and its three occupants around 04:00 Moscow time. Officials said a Mi-8 helicopter from the Kamchatka region’s emergency services was dispatched, with additional resources including a disaster medicine helicopter and a backup An-26 aircraft ready to participate in the rescue effort.
The missing helicopter was located during an aerial sweep near Semyachkov Pass, about 13 kilometers from the Uzon volcano, and it was noted to have sustained heavy damage and fire. By roughly 08:00 Moscow time, confirmation came that the aircraft had been found by regional authorities.
Rescuers reported that the helicopter had two passengers and a pilot on board and was on a private flight rather than a registered tour. Ongoing poor weather and low cloud cover had hampered flight operations around the crash site in the preceding day.
Shortly after, authorities confirmed that Malinovsky and his two companions had perished. Those on board were identified as the biathlete Igor Malinovsky, Zoya Kaigorodova, and Sergey Kolesnik.
The Robinson helicopter belonged to a private company operated by the father of a former biathlete, Vladimir Malinovsky. The athlete himself had a strong passion for flying, having trained at a flight college and earning a pilot’s license. In interviews, he described how flying complemented his competitive career, noting that racing was adrenaline-driven while aviation offered calm, joy, and a kind of romance.
He once said that he did not intend to abandon sport completely, planning to keep competing at regional events even after ending his professional biathlon career. He described a balance between high-stakes racing and the quieter pleasure of flight, a sentiment shared in multiple conversations with local media.
The biathlon community offered its condolences, recognizing Malinovsky as a multiple junior world champion who promoted both biathlon and aviation in his hometown. The loss was mourned by teams and staff connected with the sport, who remembered his long commitment and potential as a standout athlete.
Team leaders and coaches expressed deep sadness at the news. They recalled Malinovsky as a longtime member of the national squad, who inspired teammates with his dedication and skill. The sentiment carried across the broader biathlon circle, highlighting the tragedy of losing a promising athlete who had already made a mark in youth competition.
Among those paying tribute was a legendary Olympic champion who noted Malinovsky’s early peak in biathlon and his choice to pursue aviation after stepping back from competition. The colleague offered heartfelt condolences to the athlete’s family and friends, reflecting on the abrupt shift from peak performance to an untimely end. The tribute emphasized the brightness of Malinovsky’s early career and the loss felt by the sport’s community.
Another prominent champion recalled Malinovsky’s aspiration to become a helicopter pilot and his willingness to skip certain camps and events to focus on training. The memory underscored how the athlete balanced ambition across two demanding disciplines and remained committed to his goals even as circumstances changed.
In reflecting on this tragedy, observers noted the broader impact on younger athletes who see in Malinovsky a model of perseverance. His story is a reminder of the risks connected with aviation and high-level sport, and the way talented competitors often pursue multiple passions with equal intensity.