Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

UPDATED: Two pilots killed as military plane crashes while training for air show

Graf Ignatievo Air Base
Photo: BTA

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov has cancelled the air show at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base after an L-39 ZA military transport plane crashed, the Defence Ministry said.

The accident occurred during preparations for tomorrow's demonstrations to mark the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO

The L-39 trainer crashed at the Graf Ignatyevo airbase while performing a complex manoeuvre at extremely low altitude. The two pilots had no reaction time for ejection. They were killed in the crash. An investigation is under way. Measures have been taken to locate the fires and determine the causes of the accident. 

Earlier today, President Rumen Radev took part as co-pilot in a demonstration flight of an F-16 fighter jet at the airbase at the invitation of the US Air Force.

As a sign of respect for the fallen pilots, three days of mourning have been announced in the formations of the armed forces, it was reported.

The L-39 trainer aircraft has been in service in Bulgaria since 1994, when Bulgaria received 36 aircraft from Czechoslovakia, of which only 6 were flying as of 2014. They have been undergoing repairs in the Bulgarian military-industrial complex, BNT reported.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Week starts with snow and freezing temperatures

On Monday there will be snow showers or a mix of rain and snow in many places. The precipitation will decrease and stop, and the clouds will clear in the evening. The minimum temperature will be minus 3°C, around minus 1°C in Sofia, and the maximum will..

published on 4/6/25 6:05 PM

After the fire: Emergency break for students at the National School of Applied Arts in Tryavna

After a fire destroyed the roof of the historic National High School of Applied Arts in Tryavna  on Friday morning, students are taking a week-long emergency break. With the help of the fire brigade, civil protection teams and local businesses, the..

published on 4/6/25 5:33 PM

Police continue large-scale inspections of dangerous road sections

The large-scale inspection, carried out by the competent police structures of the National Police Directorate and the regional directorates of the Interior Ministry, will continue next week to get the full picture - where, what and how many are the..

published on 4/6/25 4:01 PM