Israel, Iran exchange airstrikes in unprecedented escalation, sparking fears of regional war    Rock Developments to launch new 17-feddan residential project in New Heliopolis    Madinet Masr, Waheej sign MoU to drive strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia    EHA, Konecta explore strategic partnership in digital transformation, smart healthcare    Egyptian ministers highlight youth role in shaping health policy at Senate simulation meeting    Egypt signs $1.6bn in energy deals with private sector, partners    Pakistani, Turkish leaders condemn Israeli strikes, call for UN action    Egypt to offer 1st airport for private management by end of '25 – PM    Egypt's President stresses need to halt military actions in call with Cypriot counterpart    Scatec signs power purchase deal for 900 MW wind project in Egypt's Ras Shukeir    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt's GAH, Spain's Konecta discuss digital health partnership    EGX starts Sunday trade in negative territory    Environment Minister chairs closing session on Mediterranean Sea protection at UN Ocean Conference    Egypt nuclear authority: No radiation rise amid regional unrest    Grand Egyptian Museum opening delayed to Q4    Egypt delays Grand Museum opening to Q4 amid regional tensions    Egypt slams Israeli strike on Iran, warns of regional chaos    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's EDA joins high-level Africa-Europe medicines regulatory talks    US Senate clears over $3b in arms sales to Qatar, UAE    Egypt discusses urgent population, development plan with WB    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Egypt, Serbia explore cultural cooperation in heritage, tourism    Egypt discovers three New Kingdom tombs in Luxor's Dra' Abu El-Naga    Egypt launches "Memory of the City" app to document urban history    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Russian military helicopter crashes during air show, 1 dead
Published in Ahram Online on 02 - 08 - 2015

A Russian military helicopter from an elite aerobatic squadron crashed Sunday during an air show, killing one pilot and injuring another, the Defense Ministry said, the latest in a series of accidents that have dogged the nation's air force this year.
The Mi-28 helicopter gunship was part of a flight of helicopters from the Berkut aerobatics team performing stunts at the Dubrovichi firing range in Ryazan region, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) southeast of Moscow, when it went down. The Defense Ministry said the second pilot who survived the crash was in satisfactory condition.
There was no damage on the ground, and the Defense Ministry emphasized that the flights were conducted at a safe distance from the crowd and there was no danger for those who watched the air show.
The footage broadcast by Russian television showed four gunships performing stunts and firing flares. One helicopter is then seen spinning down fast, hitting the ground and then exploding. The first pilot, Lt.-Col. Igor Butenko, was killed.
"There are situations when it's impossible to survive no matter how well-trained the pilot is," Butenko's son, an air force academy cadet, told Russia's Lifenews online portal.
The surviving pilot said the crash was caused by the failure of the helicopter's hydraulic system.
Russian air force chief Viktor Bondarev ordered the grounding of the military's Mi-28 fleet pending an investigation.
The Mi-28 is a two-seat attack helicopter replacing older Soviet-built gunships in the Russian inventory. It has been sold to Iraq and Kenya, among others countries.
Sunday's show was part of the International Army Games, competitions involving troops from Russia and several other nations at shooting ranges across Russia that began Saturday.
The games are part of Kremlin efforts to show off Russia's resurgent military might amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.
The Russian air force has received hundreds of new jets and helicopters in recent years as part of President Vladimir Putin's ambitious arms modernization program, and pilots' training has improved significantly.
However, a series of military crashes in recent months has raised questions about safety standards. Sunday's accident was the seventh military crash this summer.
Last month, a Tu-95 strategic bomber went down when all its four engines cut off, killing two of its seven crewmen, and a Su-24 bomber crashed on takeoff, killing both pilots. In June, another Tu-95 ran off the runway during landing, killing one crewmember.
During the summer, two MiG-29 fighter jets crashed in unrelated accidents and a Su-34 bomber ran off the runway. There were no fatalities in those crashes.
Some experts said the crashes could have been rooted in the shortage of qualified ground support personnel following a military reform that has seen sharp personnel cuts.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/136794.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.