Search for military plane crash in Nghe An ends

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee said that by 3:15 p.m. on July 27, the military force had finished searching for the military plane crash in Dua village (Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan, Nghe An).

“Right after the military unit stopped searching, the local authorities were withdrawn. Before that, all the plane debris had been collected and transported by the local authorities to be handed over to Division 371 to bring back to the unit to continue investigating the accident,” comrade Nguyen Van Thong shared with Nghe An Newspaper reporters.

Nghe An authorities protect the scene of the plane crash. Photo: Tien Hung

As one of the provincial leaders directly present at the scene, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Thong said that at around 12:00 on July 26, a few minutes after receiving information about the plane crash, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee notified the local authorities and people in the surrounding areas to support the search for the pilot, and at the same time mobilized the armed forces of Nghia Dan district, surrounding communes as well as the military and police forces of the province to join in the investigation.

“Because at that time no one had access to the scene and did not know the exact condition of the pilot, we asked the people to help search, in case the pilot was injured and could parachute,” said the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, adding that after knowing the exact location of the plane crash, hundreds of people including forces such as the military, police, militia, and youth union were present to set up a fence to protect the scene and support the search.

Local forces also actively supported the search for plane debris and the pilot's body. Photo: Tien Hung

Because the road to the crash site was very dangerous, it was raining heavily, and many curious people came to the scene to see the incident, so the authorities had to set up many security rings. About 4 km from the scene, many groups of traffic police were out in the rain to regulate traffic.

“Only about 30 minutes after the accident, local authorities were present at the scene to block off and assist in the search…” - Deputy Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee said.

After completing the search, Division 371, Air Defense - Air Force sent thanks to the government and people of Nghe An province for their active support in searching for plane debris, the pilot's body as well as logistics, transportation of vehicles, equipment, etc.

Scene of the plane crash. Photo: Tien Hung

Previously, at 11:16 on July 26, the Su-22 aircraft, serial number 8551 of the 921st Air Force Regiment (Division 371, Air Defense - Air Force), conducted a training flight. However, at 11:35, contact was lost. The aircraft was later determined to have crashed in the Dua village area (Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district, Nghe An).

At this time, on the Su-22 there were 2 pilots, Lieutenant Colonel Khuat Manh Tri (40 years old, Le Loi ward, Son Tay, Hanoi), and Lieutenant Colonel Pham Giang Nam (46 years old, from Thai Giang, Thai Thuy, Thai Binh). Lieutenant Colonel Khuat Manh Tri was Deputy Regiment Commander, Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant Colonel Nam was Flight Commander of Regiment 921.

Both pilots are experienced in training flights. Lieutenant Colonel Tri has accumulated more than 1,130 flight hours, while Senior Colonel Nam has accumulated 1,178 flight hours. Both have flown aircraft such as L-39, MiG-21Bis, Su-22M….

The road to the accident scene. Photo: Tien Hung

After the incident, the Ministry of National Defense directed the Air Defense - Air Force to coordinate with the Ministry's functional agencies, military units and localities in Military Region 4 to promptly overcome the consequences, investigate and clarify the cause of the accident; together with functional agencies and local Party committees, authorities and organizations to do a good job of policy work, proactively visit and encourage the families of the two pilots.

By 4pm on July 26, the plane’s black box had been found. Meanwhile, a source said that the funerals of the two pilots will be held at the Military Region 4 Funeral Home with military rites on the morning of July 28. Accordingly, the memorial service for the two fallen pilots will begin at 7am on July 28.

After the memorial service, the coffins of the two pilots were cremated at the Universe Crematorium in Hanoi. According to the wishes of their families, the ashes of the pilots will be returned to their hometowns for burial. The Ministry of National Defense has also directed agencies and units to urgently complete procedures to recognize the two pilots as martyrs.