[UPDATED PHOTOS] A Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft crashed during the scheduled flight in the Zhytomyr region on December 15, 2018. The pilot was killed,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced in a statement on Facebook.
The Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker) from the 39th Independent Tactical Aviation Squadron (Mil Unit 1435), Ukrainian Air Force, Registration No. 55 Blue (MSN : 21308) crashed on final approach about 2 km from Ozerne Airfield, Zhytomyr Region, after performing a training flight. Unfortunately, the pilot Major Fomenko Oleksandr Vasilyevich, 44, was killed.
З великим сумом повідомляємо: 15 грудня на Житомирщині, поблизу смт Озерне сталась авіаційна катастрофа винищувача Су-27. На жаль, пілот майор ФОМЕНКО Олександр Васильович, 1975 р.н., загинув. Брав участь в АТО у 2014 році. Залишились дружина та донька. ВІЧНА ПАМ'ЯТЬ ГЕРОЮ! pic.twitter.com/WaAv3v6iOw
— aphareus (@aphareus) December 15, 2018
“The causes of the accident are being investigated,” the statement said.
Su-27 fighter jets were designed by the Soviet Union and continue to be built by Russia. Described as an aerodynamic miracle by some, and a masterpiece by others, the Sukhoi Su-27 Series (NATO name: Flanker) has evolved into one of the finest achievements in modern aviation – of any nation.
This is the second incident involving Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft of Ukranian Air Force in two months.
On October 16, another Ukrainian Sukhoi SU-27UB fighter jet crashed during large-scale Clear Sky 2018 exercises with NATO forces. The crash occurred in the Vinnytsia region, around 180 kilometers (110 miles) southwest of Kiev. A Ukrainian and an American pilot died in the accident.
Findings on the investigation held for the accident are yet to be announced.
Source : Aviation Safety Network, Reuters
All Copyright Photos by Photo by Zdenek Navratil (middle 1), Danish Aviation Photo (middle 2), AFP Photo (bottom)
