An Ethiopian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker jet has crashed after takeoff from the Debrezeit Air Force base, 50 km Southeast of Addis Ababa, killing two pilots.
An instructor and a trainee pilot were flying the Russian-made Su-27 fighter jet. The 37 year old instructor pilot Major Sebri Tofik was killed alongside he’s trainee pilot, Major Hayelom Tesfaye.
Both pilots were preparing for an airshow to mark the graduation of new pilots into the Ethiopian Air Force.
Concerning the cause of the crash, local sources revealed that the Sukhoi fighter plane engine caught fire during takeoff and crashed near the Addis Ababa-Adama road.
Residents of the area said the instructor ejected but his parachute failed to deploy due to the low altitude.
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a Soviet-origin twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi Military Aircraft manufacturer.
Ethiopian aviation authorities has commenced investigation into the accident.
The Ethiopian Air Force currently operate thirteen Su-27 flankers for air defence, ten MiG-23 flogger fighter/bomber, thirty-nine Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack aircraft and forty-eight MiG-21 Fishbed fighter jet.
Although most of these aircraft are currently inoperable.