2 pilots killed in Russian fighter crash

2011-09-06 06:20:44 GMT2011-09-06 14:20:44(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

MOSCOW, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- A MiG-31 fighter jet of the Russian Air Force crashed in the Urals region of Perm on Tuesday, killing two pilots on board, said a Defense Ministry spokesman.

Col. Igor Konashenkov told Itar-Tass news agency that the fighter disappeared from radar screens at 06:41 Moscow time (0241 GMT) during a scheduled flight about 11 km southwest of the Bolshoye Savino airfield.

"According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or destruction on the ground at the crash site," Konashenkov told Itar-Tass.

He said there were no other people, nor weapons on board the crashed jet.

"The search and rescue team have arrived at the crash site and found the killed crew," he said.

After the crash, the MiG-31 interceptor fighter jets have been grounded pending an inquiry into the crash, said Russian Air Force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik.

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