Military aircraft crashed during air show rehearsal at Graf Ignatievo air base (video) - update

Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov cancelled the air show at the Third Air Base because of a crash with an L-39 ZA trainer plane, the press centre of the Ministry of Defence said on September 13.

The L-39 training aircraft crashed at the Graf Ignatievo airbase while performing a complex manoeuvre at a very low altitude. In the accident the catapult was not activated, respectively the parachutes did not open, BNT learned from own sources. The machine was piloted by two pilots - an instructor and a pilot. An emergency rescue operation is currently underway. No one can predict at this stage what went wrong during the flight.

Because of the crash, Bulgaria’s caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov cancelled the air show that had been scheduled for September 14, the defence ministry said.

"When such an incident happens, an investigation is launched immediately. All measures have been taken to contain the fire. An investigation is underway and more information can be given once the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident are clarified," said Evelina Branimirova, a media adviser to the Defense Ministry.

"There are structures to investigate air accidents. The L-39s are used to train cadets," explained Dimitar Stavrev, an aviation journalist.

Measures have been taken to locate the fires and establish the causes of the incident.

Two pilots died in the military aircraft crash at "Graf Ignatievo" air base

Caretaeker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev are travelling to the scene.

Earlier today, President Rumen Radev participated in a demonstration flight of an F-16 fighter jet at the airbase at the invitation of the US Air Force. A flying day was planned for tomorrow to mark the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO and the 35th anniversary of the MiG-29 aircraft being adopted by the Bulgarian Air Force.