Ukraine investigates MiG-29 fighter jet crash, searches wreckage for "black box" – photos

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has opened a criminal investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet, which occurred on the evening of 10 August in the Berezivka district, Odesa Oblast.

Source: State Bureau of Investigation

Details: Early reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying out a combat mission to destroy Russian drones.

However, during the active phase of the operation, an emergency occurred, causing the aircraft to catch fire and the pilot to lose control. He managed to eject, and his life is not in danger.

Immediately after the fighter jet crashed, an SBI investigative team arrived at the scene and worked there throughout the night. Bureau officers inspected the area, recovered and documented aircraft debris, collected the necessary evidence, and interviewed witnesses and military personnel.

The search for the flight recorder, or "black box", is currently ongoing. The Bureau stressed that its data will be important in establishing the circumstances surrounding the final minutes of the flight. Once the information has been obtained and analysed, investigators will be able to determine and announce early theories about the cause of the crash.

The investigation will also examine whether the rules governing flight preparation, the conduct of the flight and the operation of the aircraft were followed.

The case has been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Article 416.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – violation of the rules governing flights or preparation for them, as well as the operation of aircraft, resulting in a crash.

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