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

UPDATED: Two pilots killed as military 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

Consumer Protection Commission bans all sales of Energy Sniff in Bulgaria

The Commission for Consumer Protection has ordered the immediate withdrawal from the market of two products known as energy sniff, which are inhaled through the nose and are an alternative to energy drinks. The products have been identified as a serious..

published on 9/11/24 2:55 PM

Bulgarian Parliament extends negotiations with Ukraine on Russian nuclear equipment by six months

With the votes of GERB, We Continue the Change (PP-DB) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), Parliament decided to extend by 180 days the negotiations between the Bulgarian Energy Minister and his Ukrainian counterpart on the sale to Ukraine of..

published on 9/11/24 2:36 PM

Gallup: Nearly 60% of Bulgarians say they believe in God

75.3% of Bulgarians identify themselves as Orthodox, 9.9% as Muslim and 11% as not religious. 59.5% say they believe in God and 27.5% do not. The rest are undecided. A fifth of respondents say they frequently attend religious services.  These are..

published on 9/11/24 1:57 PM