A $40m Russian-made Su-30MK2B fighter jet crashed in Venezuela after colliding with a flock of birds
A Russian-made Su-30 fighter jet crashed in Venezuela. The cause of the crash was a collision with a flock of birds.
Here's What We Know
The incident took place in the state of Miranda. The Su-30MK2B fighter jet of the Venezuelan Air Force flew over a flock of birds while in flight, after which the engine began to smoke.
Sukhoi Su-30 had a bird strike over Venezuela yesterday ????️???????? @Arr3ch0 has a great feed of aviation in South America pic.twitter.com/teRllBdU9M
- Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) July 2, 2023
There were two pilots on board the plane. Both were able to eject, but one of them died during landing. The fighter plane crashed. Information about the crash was officially confirmed by the Venezuelan Air Force. The dead pilot's name was Paulino Jose Millan Sabino. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
???? #Importante || Comunicado Oficial de la Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana con motivo al accidente del Sukhoi 30 MK2.https://t.co/oEJK1bqwoJ pic.twitter.com/1JUsfO5BXs
- Prensa FANB (@PrensaFANB) July 2, 2023
Venezuela ordered 12 Su-30 fighters from Russia in the middle of last decade. The deal was valued at $480 million, meaning one Russian-made plane cost the Latin American country an average of $40 million.
Source: @PrensaFANB