Aug. 3, 2015,
Fiery Mid-Air Tragedy: Mi-28 Helicopter Crashes During Russian Airshow, Killing One Pilot
A dramatic scene unfolded at an airshow in Russia’s Ryazan region on Sunday when a Mi-28 attack helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed in a fiery explosion, killing one pilot and injuring another.
The tragedy occurred about 124 miles southeast of Moscow, during a high-adrenaline aerobatic performance that was part of the International Army Games, an event showcasing the strength and precision of military pilots from Russia and abroad.
Spectators watched in shock as the twin-seat helicopter, belonging to the Berkut aerobatic team, entered a flat spin mid-maneuver and plummeted to the ground. Seconds later, it erupted into flames. Reuters footage captured the terrifying moment the aircraft hit the earth — followed by a figure emerging from the inferno.
According to Colonel General Viktor Bondarev, head of the Russian Air Forces, the helicopter’s control system failed during the aerobatic routine. “Its alarm system immediately sounded a warning,” Bondarev explained. “The pilots did everything possible to ensure a safe flight.”
Witnesses reported that the tail rotor appeared to fail just after the helicopter completed a complex stunt. “The commander has died, the second pilot is alive,” Bondarev confirmed, adding that the surviving pilot attributed the crash to equipment failure.
“It is a deep loss,” Bondarev continued. “While one of our pilots has tragically perished, we are grateful the co-pilot survived. Preliminary findings suggest a hydraulic system malfunction as the primary cause.”
The Russian Air Force has grounded similar aircraft pending an investigation by an official accident commission.
The ill-fated demonstration was part of a larger showcase featuring dogfights, bomb drops, and precision parachuting—a vivid reminder of both the skill and the risks faced by military aviators. Most of the aircraft performing at the event remain in active military service, underscoring the fine line between spectacle and danger in aerial displays.
