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

Traffic to the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing between Bulgaria and Turkey is normalised

The truck traffic on the Maritsa highway to the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing at the Bulgarian-Turkish border is now normalized. "As of this morning, there are no more queues of trucks standing on the roadway waiting to cross the border," assured..

published on 11/22/24 3:04 PM

European Public Prosecutor's Office conducts searches in four Bulgarian cities for alleged fraud with EU funds

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, searches have been carried out in Sofia, Burgas, Petrich and Rila in connection with an investigation into alleged fraud with EU funds in the restoration of a church. In 2017, a public tender..

published on 11/22/24 1:42 PM

National Statistical Institute: Bulgarians aged 25 to 44 travel most

One million and eight hundred Bulgarian citizens travelled as tourists during the third quarter of the year, National Statistical Institute data show. 72.3% of them travelled inside the country, 20.8% travelled abroad and 6.9% - both inside Bulgaria..

published on 11/22/24 12:09 PM