We are conducting an inspection at the Air Force Command, 12th Air Base in Dolna Mitropolia and 3rd Air Base in Graf Ignatievo, to see if the regulatory framework is being followed. When the investigation comes out with a report on the specific causes of the incident, we will inform the public. It is absolutely impossible for a military aircraft to take off without being fully technically fit.
This is what the Chief of Defense, Admiral Emil Eftimov, said in an interview with BTA about the crash of the L-39ZA combat training aircraft, in which the two pilots died.
On Friday, in preparation for a demonstration flight at the "Graf Ignatievo" an L-39 ZA combat trainer crashed. The two pilots died - Major Petko Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Dunkin, from the 12th aviation base in Dolna Mitropolia.
The Chief of Defense expressed deep condolences to the relatives and colleagues of the dead pilots - Major Petko Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Vencislav Dunkin. As the Chief of Defense, I feel indescribable pain at the loss of every service member. Everything we can do to help their families will be provided as soon as possible, the defense chief said.
I have ordered an analysis and assessment of the command and organizational work of the Air Force, the level of flight training and, above all, of flight discipline. We are carrying out an internal investigation, the results of which I will announce to the extent permitted by me, Admiral Eftimov explained. Punishments are also possible depending on the results of the checks we carry out, he pointed out.
In his words, the two pilots have an optimal flight at this time of the year. The planned exercise within the open flying day fully suits their level of training. As for the raid, I cannot give a specific figure, but I assure you that it is considered good by NATO standards. The exercise has been carried out more than 20 times since the beginning of the year, Admiral Eftimov also said.
You didn't see me at the briefing Friday afternoon at the Third Air Base because I flew to Prague early in the morning to participate in the annual conference of defense chiefs of NATO member countries, about which there was an announcement in the media, he explained. When I landed in Prague, I received information about the plane crash, and I took the first possible flight home in the early hours of Friday to Saturday in Sofia.
An investigation is underway. I cannot discuss the incident in detail as the investigations are not complete. On the other hand, I would not like to interpret possible versions and reasons, commented Admiral Emil Eftimov.
I want to emphasize that the plane with which the two pilots died underwent modernization, major repairs and, according to technical data, has an available resource of 1,700 hours within seven years, Admiral Eftimov explained.
It is absolutely impossible for a military aircraft to take off without being fully technically fit, he said. The procedures in this regard are very strict. I do not believe that such an oversight can be made by the technical staff, the chief of defense also said.
The decision to hold an open flying day at the Third Aviation Base was taken by the Council of Ministers at the beginning of February this year and is part of the program to mark 20 years of Bulgaria's membership in NATO.
Regarding the pre-planned aerial demonstrations, there was no discrepancy between available resource, pilot training and adherence to safety measures. This was the preliminary information that enabled us to make this decision, Admiral Eftimov explained.
The military profession is extremely high risk and only for people with big hearts. Against the background of this tragedy, against the background of this huge loss, before us is the task of mobilizing, overcoming the shock and fulfilling our official duties, said Admiral Emil Eftimov.