MIG-21 crash and death of pilot under investigation
Similar incident involving a MiG 21 Lancer took place on June 12, 2017, near Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport, near the Black Sea port of Constanța.
08 Iulie 2018, 17:14
Crash of MIG-21 Lancer fighter jet of the Romanian Air Forces at Military Base 86 Borcea (Fetești, Ialomița County - some 240 kilometers east of Bucharest) during Borcea Open Day demonstration flight on 7 July, followed by death of the pilot, is currently under investigation, by Order of Minister of National Defense. Investigation commission is to establish the circumstances and causes that led to this tragic event.
According to procedures, Military Prosecutor's Office was notified and flight instruction with this type of aircraft has been canceled until the investigation is completed.
Lieutenant-Commander Florin Rotaru (aged 36) served as Chief Pilot at 861 Aviation Fighting Aircraft 86 Air Base. He was the first-class pilot, he had over 400 hours of flight, of which about 250 MiG-21. He was a graduate of the Air Force Academy "Henri Coanda" since 2005. The officer was married and had two children.
On Monday, July 9, memorial ceremonies will be held in the military units in Romania and in theaters of operations abroad in memory of lieutenant-commander Florin Rotaru who lost his life during the 7 July air rally.
Similar incident involving a MiG 21 Lancer took place on June 12, 2017, near Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport, close to the Black Sea port of Constanța.
Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei
