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

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivaylo Ivanov

One out of five Bulgarians has received help from the European Social Fund

One out of five Bulgarians has received support from the European Social Fund during the past 7 years, caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Ivaylo Ivanov said at the "Europe is with me" forum, organized by the "Human Resources..

published on 9/18/24 11:46 AM
Minister Zapryanov

Bulgarian caretaker Minister of Defense participates in B9 Summit in Bucharest

Bulgarian Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov takes part in the B9 Defence Ministers Meeting, chaired by Romania and Poland. The forum takes place in Bucharest.  Minister Zapryanov spoke on Tuesday evening with his Romanian..

published on 9/18/24 10:41 AM
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Rumen Radev

North Macedonian foreign minister refused meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart in Sofia

The visit of North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova was on the occasion of a cultural event - the visit of the National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia to Sofia, and did not have the character of a state, official..

published on 9/18/24 9:50 AM