I recently came across information about a little-known helicopter crash that reportedly happened in Khulo, Georgia on May 5, 2004, during a visit by then-President Mikheil Saakashvili.
On May 5, 2004, during a visit by Mikheil Saakashvili, Mi-24B helicopter carrying presidential security members, journalists, and camera operators reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff into a local resident’s yard in Khulo.
I couldn’t find much detailed information about it online, only brief mentions.
Have you ever heard about it? Would like to know if u have any more information
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1rlefvi
Posted by LazyLlama21
2 Comments
Interesting this is my first time hearing about this.
Gemini said
On May 5, 2004, a Georgian Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the Khulo district of Adjara, Georgia. This event occurred during the peak of the Adjara Crisis, a period of intense political tension between the central Georgian government and the regional leader, Aslan Abashidze.
The Details of the Incident
Aircraft: A Mi-8 helicopter belonging to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (specifically the Border Police/Border Guard).
Location: The mountainous Khulo region in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
Casualties: All three crew members on board were killed in the crash.
Primary Cause: The official investigation attributed the crash to extremely poor weather conditions, specifically dense fog and low visibility characteristic of the high-altitude terrain in Khulo.
Historical Context
The crash happened at a critical moment in modern Georgian history. On May 5, 2004, the central government was in the final stages of re-establishing authority over Adjara.
The Tensions: Just days prior, Abashidze’s forces had blown up bridges connecting Adjara to the rest of Georgia (including the Choloki Bridge).
The Mission: The helicopter was part of the mobilization effort as central authorities moved forces toward the region to pressure Abashidze to step down.
The Timing: The crash occurred just as Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze were entering Adjara for final negotiations.
Bottom Line
The Khulo helicopter crash was a tragic sidebar to the “Rose Revolution” aftermath in Adjara. While there were initial rumors of the aircraft being shot down due to the ongoing conflict, it was ultimately ruled an accident caused by the region’s treacherous mountain weather. Aslan Abashidze fled to Russia the very next day, May 6, 2004, marking the end of the crisis.