Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

UPDATED: Two pilots killed as military transport plane crashes while training for air show

Graf Ignatievo Air Base
Photo: BTA

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov has cancelled the air show at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base after an L-39 ZA military transport plane crashed, the Defence Ministry said.

The accident occurred during preparations for tomorrow's demonstrations to mark the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO

The L-39 trainer crashed at the Graf Ignatyevo airbase while performing a complex manoeuvre at extremely low altitude. The two pilots had no reaction time for ejection. They were killed in the crash. An investigation is under way. Measures have been taken to locate the fires and determine the causes of the accident. 

Earlier today, President Rumen Radev took part as co-pilot in a demonstration flight of an F-16 fighter jet at the airbase at the invitation of the US Air Force.

As a sign of respect for the fallen pilots, three days of mourning have been announced in the formations of the armed forces, it was reported.

The L-39 trainer aircraft has been in service in Bulgaria since 1994, when Bulgaria received 36 aircraft from Czechoslovakia, of which only 6 were flying as of 2014. They have been undergoing repairs in the Bulgarian military-industrial complex, BNT reported.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Foundation supports children deprived of parental care

Before the start of the new school year, the ''Give a Book'' Foundation is collecting notebooks, plimsolls, pencil cases and backpacks filled with school supplies for homes for children deprived of parental care. For 14 years, the foundation has..

published on 9/11/24 11:50 AM

Bulgaria ranks second in the world in terms of bread consumption

Bulgaria ranks second in the world in terms of bread consumption after Turkiey, reported BNT citing the Turkish news site Yenigün. According to the statistics, the average bread consumption in Turkiye is nearly 200 kg per person per year while the..

published on 9/11/24 11:10 AM

The electronic application for voting abroad is now active

The electronic application for voting abroad in the early parliamentary elections on October 27 is now active, reported BTA. According to the Electoral Code, polling stations abroad are established in Bulgarian diplomatic and consular missions if at..

published on 9/11/24 10:27 AM