A mid-air collision between two MiG 29 fighters on Tuesday evening took the life of one of the country’s most experienced pilots, Marián Katuška, while the second managed to eject to safety two seconds before his craft hit the ground.
The pilot who survived, Martin Hronec, lit a fire and was found within hours by a search involving hundreds of soldiers and civilians in the freezing weather in Slovenský Raj (Slovak Paradise) national park.
Investigators do not yet know the cause of the crash, in which the pilots, both of whom had over 1,000 hours of air time in MiG jets, were simulating a dogfight.
Damages are estimated at over Sk600 million ($14 million).
Compiled by Tom Nicholson from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
