The search and rescue operation for the Mi-8 helicopter operated by Gazpromavia, Russian energy giant Gazprom's airline, was launched after the craft missed a communication session at 12 p.m. GMT Wednesday, and resumed the following morning after a break for the night.
"The helicopter has not been found in the presumed [accident] area as of noon, Moscow time [9 a.m. GMT], [Thursday] and at an operation HQ sessioná it was decided to widen the search zone."
Four helicopters and a small plane are currently taking part in the search effort, but their progress is hindered by the area's mountainous terrain and lack of access to mobile phone networks.
An aide to the Prosecutor of the Republic of Komi, Yuri Knyazev, said the missing helicopter had successfully passed a maintenance test prior to takeoff.
Gazpromavia spokeswoman Daria Polukhina also said the helicopter was in good technical condition, and expressed hope it had made a safe emergency landing.
"The Mi-8 helicopter had just undergone repairs, and was in good technical condition."
She also said that the aircraft was being flown by an experienced crew.
"The crew commander is very experienced, with 10,840 flight hours behind him, including 8,577 hours as pilot-in-command."
According to Polukhina, the weather conditions were also fairly good when the Mi-8 went missing, with visibility as high as 10,000 meters.
