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Russian amphibious aircraft crashes in Crimea

Three crewmen are reported to have died
Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS
Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

KIEV, MOSCOW October 12 (Itar-Tass) — A Be-12 anti-submarine amphibious aircraft of the Russian Black Sea Fleet crashed near Kacha airfield in the Crimea on Friday. Three crewmen are reported to have died in the crash that occurred at around 17:00 Moscow time, a Black Sea Fleet source told Itar-Tass.

A criminal case has been opened in connection with the Be-12 amphibious aircraft crash, the press service of the military investigation department of the Russian Investigation Committee told Itar-Tass on Friday.

The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that a Be-12 amphibious aircraft of the Russian Black Sea Fleet crashed in the Crimea earlier on Friday.

The Be-12 aircraft of the Black Sea Fleet’s naval aviation crashed as it was trying to land at the Kacha airfield in the Crimea at 18:40 Moscow time on Friday. The Kacha airfield is located 50 km to the northwest of Sevastopol, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reports.

“The crew’s captain, the second pilot and a navigator died in the crash. A radio operator was delivered to the Blacks Sea Fleet military hospital with light injuries where he’s receiving treatment,” the press service went on to say.

There was only a four-member crew onboard the Be-12 amphibious aircraft. The plane had no weapons onboard. The Russian Defense Ministry has suspended all flights by Be-12 aircraft that are in service with the Russian army.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has sent a commission led by Rear-Admiral Alexander Fedosenkov, a Black Sea Fleet commander, to work at the crash site.

The military investigation department of the Russian Investigation Committee reports that the criminal proceedings have been launched under Article 351 of the Russian Penal Code (violation of flight regulations and preparations for the flight).

Investigators are questioning technical staff as well as flight coordinators.

The military investigation department of the Russian Investigation Committee for the Southern Military District has sent its criminal investigator to work at the crash site.