Russia grounds military helicopters after fatal accident

(Vatican Radio)  Russia has grounded its fleet of Mi-28 attack helicopters after a fatal accident at an air show on Sunday, southeast of Moscow. The accident comes as a setback for Russia which wants to boost its military and image as a reliable arms exporter.

Listen to Stefan Bos' report:

An aerobatic display by Russia's Berkut squadron seemed to go according to plan. But suddenly a two-seat gunship performing stunts and firing flares with three other helicopters spun out of control.

Spectators watched in horror as the aircraft falls to the ground and bursts into flames in the Ryazan region, about 170 kilometers (106 miles) south-east of Moscow.

Fire brigades and medics rush to the burning Mi-28 attack helicopter. One pilot manages to jump out of the aircraft. But another pilot, identified as Lt Col Igor Butenko has been killed.

No pilot error

His son has told Russian media that Sunday's accident was not due to pilot error.  The Russian military has blamed the crash on a hydraulics failure. 

There have been no injuries reported among spectators at the air show. However the disaster has raised questions about Russian military capabilities.  

There have been six other Russian air force crashes in recent weeks. 

Russia Defense Ministry says the country's fleet of Mi-28s will remain grounded until the investigation is completed. 

Russian setback

That comes as a setback for Russia. The Mi-28 attack helicopter is widely used in Russia, as well as countries such as Iraq and Kenya. 

At least five people have reportedly been killed in recent military aviation crashes. 

In recent years, Russia's air force received hundreds of new helicopter and planes as part of a program to modernize and reequip Russia's military and efforts to boost the country's image as an arms exporter.