WATCH: Today in History: Jet crashes at airshow, killing and injuring hundreds
The jet crashed after reported pilot error and killed close to 80 people on the ground.
The 2002 Sknyliv airshow, which was staged to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Ukrainian Air Force’s 14th Air Corps, ended in disaster when a jet crashed and killed close to 80 people and injured almost 500.
At 12.52pm, a Su-27 aircraft – flown by two experienced pilots – entered a rolling manoeuvre with a downward trajectory at low altitude. Having rolled upright once more, the aircraft was still descending rapidly when the left wing dropped shortly before the aircraft hit the ground, at which point the crew ejected.
The aircraft flattened out initially, skidding over the ground towards stationary aircraft, striking a glancing blow against the nose of an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft before it began to cartwheel into a crowd of spectators. Shortly after that, it exploded into a giant fireball.
Both pilots survived with minor injuries, while 77 spectators were killed, including 28 children (though initial reports by the Emergency Situations Ministry put the number of dead at 83, including 23 children). Another 100 were hospitalised for head injuries, burns and bone fractures. Other injuries were less severe and did not require hospitalisation; however, a total of 543 people were injured during the accident.
Following the disaster, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma publicly blamed the military for the disaster and dismissed the head of the air force, Volodymyr Strelnykov. On 24 June 2005, a military court sentenced pilot Volodymyr Toponar and co-pilot Yuriy Yegorov to 14 and 8 years in prison respectively.
The court found the two pilots and three other military officials guilty of failing to follow orders, negligence and violating flight rules. Two of the three officials were sentenced to up to six years in prison, and the last official received up to four years. In addition, Toponar was ordered to pay 7,2 million Ukrainian Hryvnia (US$1,42 million; €1,18 million) and Yegorov 2,5 million Ukrainian Hryvnia in compensation to the affected families.
The pilots were assigned the majority of the blame, which included accusations of attempting manoeuvres in which they were not experienced; however, Toponar had requested an additional training flight at the airfield where the display was to be performed, but this request was denied.
Relive the moment things went horribly wrong right here:
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