Ukrainian investigators find black box from MiG-29 fighter jet that caught fire and crashed in Odesa Oblast

Officers from the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) have recovered the flight data recorder from a MiG-29 fighter jet that crashed during a combat mission in the Berezivka district in Odesa Oblast on 10 August and are attempting to analyse its data.

Source: press office for the State Bureau of Investigations

Details: The press office reported that the black box was damaged by fire. Experts are currently working to restore it and retrieve data on the final minutes of the flight.

Investigators are considering several possible causes of the incident, none of which has yet been definitively confirmed.

The investigation is being personally overseen by SBI Director Oleksii Sukhachov, who stressed that the inquiry must establish exactly what happened during the combat mission and what factors led to the incident.

The technical condition of the missile the pilot fired on a Russian drone, including whether it was fit for use at the time of launch, is being examined.

Investigators are also checking compliance with regulations governing pre-flight preparations, mission execution and aircraft operations. The fighter jet's wreckage, evidence from the scene and statements from military personnel are also being examined.

Background:

• On the evening of 10 August, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 was carrying out a combat mission to destroy Russian drones when an emergency occurred. The aircraft caught fire, and the pilot lost control.
• The pilot managed to eject. His life is not in danger.
• A criminal investigation has been launched into the crash under Article 416.2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, covering breaches of flight rules, flight preparation procedures, or aircraft operating rules that result in a crash.

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