Serious aircraft accident with two victims – summary

The pilots of the training aircraft, which crashed into an unused airfield, may have deviated from their task – said on the scene Imre Szekeres, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Hungary, who aborted his visit to Slovenia. Minister Szekeres stated that in light of available data the pilots performed an unscheduled and extremely dangerous maneuver with their aircraft. It would be clarified by a subsequent investigation, which will be assisted by the fact that there are eye-witnesses and a video footage is available also, he added. The flight recorder of the aircraft was also found. The investigation of the exact circumstances of the accident would be conducted together with the National Transport Authority and the Traffic Safety Organization.

The serious accident occurred on Friday morning. The aircraft Albatros took off from Kecskemét AirBase at 10.25, the air crew checked in with the base at 11.02 a.m. for the last time. Contact was lost with them afterwards. Authorities received the first report about an aircraft burning near Fehérgyarmat, about 500 meters from the built-up area, at 11.30. The military aircraft performed its task at an altitude of 200 meters. The pilots tried to eject, but it was unsuccessful because of the low altitude. The pilot sitting in the rear seat was ejected, but the one sitting in the front could not leave the aircraft.

Firemen went out to the scene using the highest emergency class, and extinguished the fire swiftly. The neighborhood and the roads were closed by the police and the disaster protection. Imre Szekeres, Minister of Defence arrived to the scene aborting his visit to Slovenia, General András Havril, Chief of Defence Staff, HDF as well as Lieutenant General László Tömböl, Commander of the Joint Forces Command, HDF joined Minister Szekeres at the scene of the accident.

Experienced instructor and talented trainee

The deceased instructor pilot Lt.Col. András Janicsek (large picture) has returned from a Canadian program recently, where he worked as an instructor. He had a total of 2.700 flying hours and flew also on MiG-29. He was born on 12.12.1965, he graduated as aircraft-operator at Kilián György Repülõ-Mûszaki Fõiskola in 1989, then took his diploma in 1996 at Zrínyi Miklós Katonai Akadémia. He did military service in diverse flying duties; he was among the first to participate in the Canadian NFTC program, first as a trainee, than subsequently as an instructor. He was one of the best pilots of the Hungarian Defence Forces.

The 47-years old Lt.Col. was father of 3, the 31-years old 1st Lt. is mourned by his parents. László Sólyom, President of the republic and Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány offered their sympathies to the families and relatives. As Imre Szekeres said, the Hungarian Defence Forces will bid farewell to the pilots with proper respect, and will also help their families. The minister described the occurrence as ‘senseless and needless death’.

The aircraft

The Czech aircraft, made especially for training purposes, was used by the Hungarian Air Force since 1993. The type was found very reliable and pilot-friendly. The crashed Albatros was a well-maintained aircraft, suitable for flying – emphasized István Bocskai, the ministry’s spokesman. The Hungarian Air force received 20 L39-ZO aircraft from the former East-German Air force’s legacy in 1993, 12 of which were in service in Kecskemét, the remaining eight were intended for use as spare parts. The last time a Type L-39 aircraft was crashed was on 25.07.1996, at that time the pilots managed to eject. On 29.10.2002 a Type Albatross L-39 aircraft crashed near Kosice (Slovakia) with two Hungarian soldiers on board. Lt.Col. Jenõ Vadas and Maj. Gyula Molnár were performing their practice flight in Slovakia on basis of the contract between the Hungarian and the Slovakian Ministry of Defence: both pilots ejected and survived the accident.

Albatros L-39 was developed by the Czechoslovakian Aero Vodochody under guidance of Jan Vlcek. The first prototype of the progeny of the successful Delfin L-29 took off on 4.11.1968. The aircraft became the basic jet training aircraft of the Czechoslovakian Air force and of the Warsaw Pact. The aircrafts, produced since 1972, serve training purposes in a number of countries and continents even today. Many of its number are flown by private pilots and they can be also encountered on American and European aircraft demonstrations.

This type, equipped with Progress AI-25TL engine, is appreciated by pilots, for it is a well navigable type, tolerant of mistakes. Its construction is simple, which makes its operation and maintenance easy. The aircraft is equipped with two Czech-made type VS-1 ejection seat.

Type L-39ZO is a strengthened version, capable of performing light tactical tasks, besides training. It is assisted by its strengthened wing construction, the four pylon points and the machine gun container under the fuselage. The type took off for the first time on 25.10.1975.

The most recent members of the Albatros-family, L-139 training and L-159 ALCA light tactical aircraft are modern, top-notch aircraft. These types are equipped with modern avionic and weapon systems. The design of the cockpit, built on multifunctional, color LCD-panels, makes it possible to retrain trainees for modern bombers. Hungarian pilots use L-139, leased form the Czech Republic, for this purpose.