One pilot died when the Mil Mi-28N attack helicopter (NATO reporting name Havoc) he was piloting crashed during a demonstration flight at an airshow in Russia, the Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday.
"The ‘Berkut' aerobatics crew Mi-28 helicopter crashed today while performing demonstration flights at the Dubrovichi range in Ryazan Region," Sputnik News cited the ministry's press office.
According to the Defense Ministry, the preliminary reason for the crash was a hydraulic system failure. Following the crash, all Mi-28 flights were suspended.
"By the decision of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Lieutenant General V.N. Bondarev, Mi-28 helicopter flights are temporarily suspended," the ministry said in a statement.
The crash took place at the Aviadarts competition, which is part of the International Army Games currently underway in Russia. The competition was halted after the crash.
