Investigation commission formed from representatives of the Ministry of National Defence have finalised the investigation into the possible causes of the collision of L-39 ZA Albatross light assault aircraft of the Lithuanian Air Force (LITHAF) and Mirage 2000C fighter of the French Air Force which occurred on August 30 this year.
According to the findings of the commission, during a scheduled training event for L-39 ZA Albatross light assault aircraft and Mirage 2000C fighters deployed on the Baltic Air Policing mission, L-39 ZA and one Mirage 2000C approached one another at a dangerously small distance while conducting interception and identification procedures at a high speed within formation, and then collided in flight. The collision was caused by differing pilots' interpretations of the stages of flight.
According to Commander Lithuanian Air Force Maj Gen Edvardas Mažeikis, even the minutest difference in concerted actions during drills where aircraft fly really close to one another can cause collision. Seeking to ensure flight safety and avoid similar incidents in the future, the investigation commission passed a recommendation to pay special attention to the simultaneity of aircraft moves when training for formation flights.
"The coalition revealed that war aviation training events are highly risky and in this case only the professionalism of pilots helped avoiding casualties. We are really grateful to France for conducting the investigation of the incident in close cooperation", said Maj Vilius Jurgelevičius, the head of the investigation commission and chief investigator for aviation in the General Inspection.
The investigation of the wreckage revealed that L-39 ZA was prepared in line with flight requirements and was in working order. It was also ascertained that the pilots of aircraft followed the procedures in case of the occurrence of air crash. No evidence on flight parameters survived because flight recorder of L-39 ZA burnt down in the fire after the aircraft dropped. In cooperation with the Defene Ministry of France an analysis of flight data recording equipment of the French fighter Mirage 2000C was conducted.
L-39 ZA and Mirage 2000C collided on the 30th of August this year at 10.20 a.m. (Lithuanian time) during a scheduled training. Frame of L-39 ZA was damaged in the incident causing the aircraft to crash near Lake Rėkyva and burn. Mirage 2000C experienced damages on the upper part of keel, the left part of body and left wing. After the collision the aircraft remained in the air, reached the Šiauliai military airport and landed.
The L-39 ZA pilots have survived after having been successfully ejected. The pilots were soon after located and transported by the Lithuanian Air Force search and rescue helicopter Mi-8 to the Lithuanian Air Force Base. After health check up, the pilots reported back to the service.
Under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) damage compensation will not be an issue between Lithuania and France. France is one of the most active participants of the NATO Air Policing mission. For the French contingent this has been the third tour of duty in the Baltic States since the launch of the Baltic Air Policing mission in 2004.
