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Sknyliv disaster - Su-27 crashes into crowd during an airshow

Sknyliv airshow disaster - 27 July 2002 - Lviv, Ukraine – The Sknyliv airshow disaster of 2002 was a tragic event that unfolded during an airshow at Sknyliv Airfield in Ukraine. As spectators gathered to watch the aerial display on July 27, a Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet piloted by Volodymyr Toponar experienced difficulties during a low-altitude maneuver. Toponar lost control of the aircraft, causing it to plummet into the crowd before erupting into flames. The crash resulted in 77 fatalities and over 500 injuries, making it one of the deadliest airshow accidents in history.

The aftermath of the disaster revealed a series of contributing factors. Investigations found that Toponar had violated safety protocols by performing a risky maneuver at an inappropriate altitude and proximity to the audience. Furthermore, inadequate crowd control measures and organizational failures exacerbated the severity of the incident. The lack of sufficient barriers between the spectators and the runway meant that there was little protection when the jet crashed.

The Sknyliv tragedy prompted widespread scrutiny of airshow safety practices and sparked calls for reforms. Authorities implemented stricter regulations regarding flight maneuvers, pilot training, and crowd management protocols to prevent similar accidents in the future. The disaster also underscored the importance of comprehensive safety assessments and coordination between event organizers, aviation authorities, and emergency responders.

In addition to the immediate response efforts to treat the injured and manage the fallout, the Sknyliv disaster prompted a broader reevaluation of airshow safety standards worldwide. The lessons learned from this tragic event led to improvements in risk mitigation strategies, emergency preparedness, and regulatory oversight within the aviation community. Despite the devastation caused by the Sknyliv airshow disaster, it served as a catalyst for positive change aimed at preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of both participants and spectators at airshows globally.

Comments

Neil
Christchurch (New Zealand)
A lot of comments on here the people are getting confused with the Ramstein (sp) crash which was very similar that happened a few years ago in the late 80s. Very similar crashes but the 1st I believe was more deadlier.
23rd October, 2023
christian
U Terecht (Nederland)
damnn this is just horrible to watch. i feel sorry for the people involved and i wish all the best of the family of the casualties
18th September, 2023
JenniferElle
Fairview (United States)
Actually, the co pilot is the one that ejected and the crash was due to a malfunction in the aircraft. The pilots got blamed afterwards because of course they did. They were given the wrong flight plan and when they asked for a practice run the day before at the actual airstrip, in the plane they'd be flying, they were told "NO." The pilot had over 1000 hours and 27 years of experience and had been a Falcon in the Russian military forever. They needed a scapegoat and that's who they chose!! It was NOT the pilot's faults, yet they spent time in prison and were fined something like a billion dollars. Only 3 others were sentenced to prison and only for, like, 4 years. The pilot's were NOT AT FAULT. The malfunction was not their fault and they tried to save the spectators and the pilot had every intention of dying trying to get that plane away from them. Copilot saw it wasn't going to happen and pulled eject.
17th March, 2023
Mike
Newcastle (Uk)
Another video shows the pilot, after ejecting, still in his parachute harness, standing amongst the carnage lighting up and having a cig. Somebody runs past him and pats him on the shoulder almost as if to say, 'well done glad, you're alright'
18th August, 2011
J Perry
Grass Valley, Calif (Usa)
So sad that people had to loose there lifes. Fantastic photography. I wish it never happened. The pilot at lease tried to get back on the airstrip and out of harms way. I give them credit, but also say stupidity for there improper check list of fuel and such.
14th December, 2010
George
Astana (Kazakhstan)
Low level passes, low level rolls and loops, so many of these crashes at air shows seem to me to happen when pilots are "showing off" their prowess and skills. People die when this happens.
29th October, 2010
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