The Beja Air Show in Portugal was marred by a tragic accident involving two Yakovlev Yak-52 aircraft from the Spanish-Portuguese Yakstars aerobatic team. The collision occurred during a high-stakes aerobatic demonstration, which took a fatal turn when one aircraft deviated from the formation and collided with another.
By Aditya M
The Incident: The Yakstars, known for their precise and thrilling aerobatic displays, were performing a Vic-formation with six planes when the incident happened. One of the Yak-52s unexpectedly climbed steeply, intersecting with the formation and coming into contact with another plane’s propeller.
The Aftermath: The pilot of the crashed aircraft, esteemed Manuel “Coco” Rey, attempted to eject but tragically fell to his death as the parachute failed to deploy properly. Another aircraft, severely damaged, managed a forced landing but flipped over. The third plane involved, with minor damage, landed safely.
The lone pilot of the downed aircraft did not survive the crash. The other pilot managed to land the damaged plane safely. The airshow was immediately cancelled, and emergency services rushed to the scene.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Investigators will be looking at factors such as the complexity of the aerobatic maneuvers, potential mechanical issues, and human error.
This is a stark reminder of the risks involved in aerobatic performances. The Yakstars team is known for their thrilling displays, but such displays come at a cost.
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