On May 18, 2021 two pilots ejected from a SU-30SM fighter jet when it was on the ground at the Saki military airfield in Crimea.
On May 18, 2021 two pilots ejected from a SU-30SM fighter jet when it was on the ground at the Saki military airfield in Crimea, both crew members are alive, a military source told TASS.
“On Friday at 18.50, two pilots ejected from a Su-30SM at the Saki airfield in Crimea during preparations for takeoff. Both pilots are alive. The jet technician received burns,” the source said.
According to Scramble Magazine, both crew members escaped with minor injuries while ejecting from Su-30SM with Bort 37 Blue and registration number RF-93825. Attached to the Naval Aviation unit 43.OMShAP (43 Regiment).
The Su-30, which is regarded as the premier Russian Air and Space Force (RuASF) fighter, can be armed with a large array of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons and has been a subject to incremental upgrades.
Developed by JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau for the RuASF, the Su-30SM is an advanced derivative of the Su-30MK. The aircraft was designed in accordance with the requirements of the RuASF and is being manufactured by IRKUT. The first RuASF Su-30SM performed its maiden flight in September 2012.
Noteworthy as we have already reported on May 18, 2021 also two Active-duty US Air Force (USAF) pilots ejected from an F-15QA aircraft at MidAmerica airport near St. Louis after the jet departed the runway. Although the USAF did not disclose why the pilots ejected, the service said that both pilots received minor injuries.
The cause of the accident is under investigation, but the USAF has not grounded its own two F-15EX jets, which are based on the F-15QA, nor has it issued a safety grounding on the F-15QA or similar aircraft.
Photo credit: Russian Naval Aviation via Scramble Magazine
