site.btaChief of Defence Says Checks Are Underway into Deadly Crash of Military Aircraft

Checks are underway at the Air Force Command and the air bases in Dolna Mitropolia and Graf Ignatievo to see whether the established rules were observed before last Friday's crash of a military trainer aircaft which killed the two pilots on board, Chief of Defence Adm. Emil Eftimov told BTA in an interview. The tragedy occurred near Graf Ignatievo, and the pilots were stationed at Dolna Mitropolia.

Expressing sympathy for the bereaved, Adm. Eftimov commented: "As Chief of Defence, I feel gnawing pain for the loss of any serviceperson. Everything we can and should do to help the pilots' families will be done within a reasonable timeframe."

Eftimov has ordered an analysis of command-and-organization work in the Air Force, flight training levels, and above all, flight discipline. "We are conducting an internal investigation, and I will make public the findings to the extent that I am allowed to. Punishments are very likely, based on the future results of our checks," he said.

According to the Chief of Defence, the two pilots had the necessary record of flight hours by this time of the year, according to NATO standards. Friday's flight exercise, which proved fatal, suited their training level.

The causes of the incident will be announced in a report which will be publicized, Eftimov said.

"I want to emphasize that the aircraft in which the two pilots plunged to their death had been upgraded and overhauled, and the technical parameters show that it had 1,700 hours left to fly over the course of seven years," he said.

He noted that it is absolutely impossible for military aircraft to take off if it is not completely technically fit. "The procedures are very rigorous. I do not believe that such an omission can be made by the technical crew."

The decision to perform an air show at Graf Ignatievo on Friday had been made by the Council of Ministers back in February. It was part of the programme of events marking 20 years of Bulgaria's NATO membership.

"The military profession is associated with a very high risk level and is only meant for people with big hearts. After this tragedy and this huge loss, we must be strong, get over the shock and carry on with our duties," the Chief of Defence said.