SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — A Bulgarian military plane crashed Friday during an air show exercise marking the anniversary of the country’s accession to NATO, authorities said. Both pilots aboard the plane were killed.
The L-39 Albatros training plane crashed shortly after noon near the Graf Ignatievo air base in southwestern Bulgaria, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the capital Sofia, the Defense Ministry said.
The crash caused a fire on the ground. Officials say efforts are underway to contain the fire and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Glavchev’s press office, he was on his way to the base.
Bularia on Saturday celebrates the 20th anniversary of its NATO membership and also 35 years since the MiG-29 was incorporated into the Bulgarian Air Force, the state news agency BTA reported.
After the crash, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov canceled the air show. A statement from him was expected later on Friday.
Video from state broadcaster BNT showed a large plume of black smoke rising above an airport as fire trucks raced to the crash site.