Romanian MiG-21 LanceR and IAR 330 rescue helicopter crashed in Romania, killing all eight military personnel on board, marking the worst day of air force accidents in recent years. Romania is a NATO member.
The MiG-21 LancerR went missing over the Black Sea. The IAR 330 Puma helicopter was sent to search the MiG-21 LanceR, which was a part of the formation of two jets performing air patrol missions.
The helicopter crashed on Wednesday in the area of Gura Dobrogei, killing all seven military personnel on board, the defence ministry said. They reported bad weather conditions when they lost contact near the Black Sea.
The fighter jet was also found later the same day. The defence ministry said it had crashed near Cogealac near the Black Sea, killing the 31-year-old pilot. All IAR 330 Puma and MiG LanceR aircraft will be grounded while the accident is under investigation.
On Wednesday evening, President Klaus Iohannis sent his “thoughts to the bereaved families” of the crash victims. He called the accident “a tragic night for Romanian aviation”.
The military and religious commemoration ceremonies for the crash victims will be held in all Romanian military units on Thursday.
Feature Image: “MApN Facebook page”