1st LD Writethru: Russian fighter jet crashes over Mediterranean Sea, both pilots killed
Xinhua,May 03, 2018 Adjust font size:
MOSCOW, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-30SM fighter crashed over the Mediterranean Sea shortly after its takeoff, killing both pilots on board, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
The incident took place at around 09:45 Moscow time (0645 GMT) when the aircraft was climbing after its takeoff from the Khmeimim airfield in the port city of Latakia in western Syria, Russian media reported, citing a ministry statement.
Both pilots who fought until the last minute to save the plane were killed, the ministry said.
According to preliminary information, a bird that hit the plane's engine could have caused the crash. Enditem