The chopper went into a flat spin before crashing during aerobatics at an airshow in Russia.
MOSCOW, Russia — A fiery helicopter crash at airshow left one pilot dead and another injured in the Russian region of Ryazan on Sunday.
During aerobatics at the event some 124 miles south-east of Moscow, an Mi-28 helicopter went into a flat spin before crashing. Reuters footage showed a figure emerging from the wreckage after it burst into flame.
“The crashed helicopter belongs to Berkut aerobatic team. The MI-28 attack helicopter’s control system failed during training,” head of the Russian Air Forces, Colonel General Viktor Bondarev said. “It’s alarm system immediately sounded a warning. The pilots did their best to guarantee a safe flight.”
A pilot stands near a burning Mi-28N from the Berkuty (Golden Eagles) helicopter display team after a hard touchdown during the “Aviadarts” military aviation competition at the Dubrovichi range near Ryazan, Russia, August 2,
According to witnesses, a propeller on the helicopter’s tail failed after finishing a stunt.
“The commander has died, the second pilot is alive. According to the second pilot, equipment failure caused the accident,” Bondarev, was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.
“It’s a pity that one pilot died in the crash, but the other pilot has survived. The primary cause of this accident was a hydraulic system failure,” Bondarev said. “The MI-28 attack helicopter is widely used. An investigation commission will look into the crash.”
The aerobatics show was a part of the International Army Games, competitions involving troops from Russia and several other nations that began on Saturday.
