A Su-30SM fighter jet crashed during a scheduled training flight in the Karaganda region. The pilots survived by using their ejection seats, and an investigation has been launched.
Accident During Training Flight
On February 5, a Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region during a scheduled training flight.
The incident was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan.
Pilots Survived
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence press service, it was reported that the pilots were alive and that their health conditions were not in danger.
The statement said, “The pilots are under the supervision of medical specialists. The crash site has been secured. There is no threat to the public or infrastructure.”
Special Commission Established
In order to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident, a special commission was established within the Ministry of Defence under the leadership of the head of the flight safety department. It was reported that the commission includes experts from the relevant aviation services.
It was announced that a legal assessment would be made following the investigation and that procedural decisions would be taken.
MiG-31 Crash in 2020
A similar military aircraft accident had previously occurred in the region. On April 16, 2020, a Mikoyan MiG-31 fighter jet crashed near Karaganda.
In that accident, following a fire in the engine compartment, the military pilots directed the aircraft to a field away from residential areas and managed to survive by using their ejection seats.
After the crash, flights of MiG-31 fighter jets in Kazakhstan were temporarily suspended until the cause was clarified.
All Eyes on the Investigation Outcome
The cause of the Su-30SM crash will be clarified following a technical examination. The Ministry of Defence’s investigation report will be decisive both in terms of flight safety and operational processes.
