24 Sep 2014 09:48

Sukhoi Su-27 fighter crashes in Kazakhstan

ALMATY. Sept 24 (Interfax) - A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter stationed at the Kazakh Defense Ministry's Taldykorgan airbase has crashed in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan.

There were two pilots onboard. Their fate is so far unknown, a source in the regional law enforcement authorities told Interfax.

"Most probably, the pilots ejected themselves," he said.

According to the source, the fighter was on a training mission. It disappeared from radar screens at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday (Astana time).

The area around the crashed plane has been cordoned off and the search for the pilots has begun, the source said.

The Kazakh Defense Ministry confirmed the plane crash.

It said a special commission had been set up to study causes of the accident.