This is the shocking moment a homemade helicopter shatters into pieces sending its elderly pilot flying through the air.
The incident happened on 31st July in a field near the village of Zalazna, in Russia's Kirov region.
According to reports, 88-year-old Vladimir Trapeznikov had built the aircraft himself using makeshift methods without submitting a flight plan or notifying aviation authorities of his intention to use the airspace.
During the test flight, the helicopter broke apart shortly after the engine was started and one of the rotor blades is said to have struck the pensioner in the head.
Video shows Vladimir being thrown into the air as the aircraft attempts to lift off, with wreckage strewn across the ground.
Emergency services took the seriously injured man to Omutninsk hospital.
Despite doctors’ efforts, Vladimir died from a severe head injury several hours later.
Vladimir was known as a local aviation enthusiast and aircraft model designer who had reportedly built five planes since 1964 and once completed a flight on one of his creations.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-01.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: The 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov posing in undated footage. He died while testing a homemade helicopter in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025.
Note: Private photo.
(Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-02.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: The 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov posing in undated footage. He died while testing a homemade helicopter in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-03.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: The 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov posing in undated footage. He died while testing a homemade helicopter in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-04.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Footage shows the the blades of the homemade helicopter broke off killing the 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-05.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Footage shows the the blades of the homemade helicopter broke off killing the 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-06.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Footage shows the the blades of the homemade helicopter broke off killing the 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-HomemadeHelicopter-01.mp4 Video Copyright: Newsflash/NX Video Caption: Footage shows the the blades of the homemade helicopter broke off killing the 88-year-old aircraft modeler Vladimir Trapeznikov in Zalazna, Kirov Oblast of Russia on July 31, 2025.***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsflash.media
Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig
Byline Sub editor: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Spotter: Dushko Kochoski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: David Stojkovic
Byline Copychecker: Dushko Kochoski
Byline Illustrator: Dushko Kochoski
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Залазна_(село)
Subject: Accidents, Accidents Involving People, Air Accidents, Helicopters, Society, Death, Old Age
