Helicopter crashes at airshow in Russia, 1 pilot dead (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)
Published time: 2 Aug, 2015 09:36Edited time: 2 Aug, 2015 12:26
© Kirill Kallinikov / RIA Novosti
An Mi-28N military helicopter has crashed near Russia’s Ryazan during an aerobatic display performed as part of the Aviadarts competition in the 1st “military Olympics” in Russia.
One pilot managed to eject and his health is in satisfactory condition, but a second pilot died in the crash, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.
While performing a stunt, a helicopter belonging to the Berkuty (Golden Eagles) aerobatic team suddenly banked on one side and started to lose height.
“The helicopter went into flat-attitude spin and crash-landed,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"According to preliminary report of the hospitalized pilot of Mi-28N, when performing an aerobatic stunt, the emergency alert system of the helicopter reported the failure of the hydraulic boost system,” the Defense Ministry’s press service said in a statement.
The helicopter crashed in a forest near the airfield and burst into flames on impact with the ground. Firefighters arrived at the crash site and extinguished the fire within minutes.
MORE: Heli burst into flames after crash, 1 pilot ejected, rescue search for 2nd
pic
— RT (@RT_com)
The helicopter is damaged beyond repair, RIA Novosti reports.
Russia's Air Force Commander-in-Chief Viktor Bondarev has ordered the grounding of all Mi-28 assault helicopters following the catastrophe in central Russia, the Defense Minister reported.
“The crew fought to save the helicopter to the end. Unfortunately, the chief pilot died on impact - the co-pilot survived. According to the second pilot, the accident occurred due to technical failure. I have suspended all Mi-28 flights. The commission under my leadership is working to clarify the causes of the disaster,” Bondarev said.
The international military aviation competition Aviadarts-2015 opened in Russia early last week as part of the Army Games, dubbed the “world's first military Olympics,” Military aircraft from four countries have been competing in live ammunition shooting at specially constructed targets.