21 Dec 2016 16:50

Kazakh Defense Ministry's Su-27 crashes during nighttime drill, pilot ejects

ASTANA. Dec 21 (Interfax) - A Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft crashed during a nighttime training flight on Wednesday, the Kazakh Defense Ministry said.

The pilot, Major A. Iskakov, did all he could to divert the plane from a populated area before ejecting, the spokesperson said.

"The pilot is currently in satisfactory condition," the spokesperson said.

"A commission set up by the defense minister is investigating the causes and circumstances of the incident," he said.

Major Iskakov has flown a total of 556 hours in daytime and nighttime, the ministry said.