Plovdiv, 12 June (BelTA - BTA) - A Mi-17 helicopter has crashed near the Kroumovo Military Airbase on Monday evening, killing two of the three crewmen, the Defence Ministry reported.
Firefighters and ambulances were dispatched to the site of the crash immediately. The pilot-in-command and first officer were found dead, while the flight engineer was found conscious and taken to a hospital.
The helicopter has crashed from a height of around 50 metres near the Airbase. The cause of the crash remains unknown and an investigation has been launched.
Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov told Nova TV that everything happened very fast and the accident was probably caused by a technical malfunction, and not pilot error. He has ordered an investigation into the crash. It will be carried out jointly by the military police and the military prosecution.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov expressed condolences to the families of the killed military pilots. He has asked Karakachanov to keep him updated about the facts and circumstances that have led to the crash.
