18.08.2009
FLYING PROGRAM OF MAKS 2009 IS NOT CANCELED
On Sunday, August 16, during repetition of demonstration flight before MAKS 2009, two Su-27 fighters from aerobatic team Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) collided in the air and wrecked. Pilot of one of the aircrafts Col. Igor Tkachenko was killed. Directorate of the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS 2009 sincerely condoles with family and friends of Igor Tkachenko. This is irretrievable loss for the crew of aerobatic team and for Air Force of the Russian Federation.
In spite of the fact that Gromov airfield was closed because of this terrible accident, all aircrafts that had planned to arrive on Sunday were able to land with minimal delay. Safety of all aviation technics that will take part in the Exhibition was ensured in full.
General Director of Aviasalon JSC Vladimir Borisov officially noted that despite this terrible accident the International Aviation and Space Salon will be held in the stated time period. Besides that he said that the flying program will change only slightly – only in part of flights of aerobatic teams of Russian Air Force.
Press-Center of Air Force of the Russian Federation distributed official announcement that confirms participation of the Air Force in MAKS 2009. It says that all aerobatics teams from the Russian Air Force listed for MAKS 2009, except the Russian Knights, will perform at the event in line with the program. There also were no changes made in the flying program of Air Force aerobatic teams.
Source – Aviasalon JSC
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