MOSCOW (AP) – Three members of a Russian bomber’s air crew died Tuesday when their ejection seats were accidentally activated during a preflight check, the military said.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the incident took place at an airbase in the Kaluga region, 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Moscow.
He said the crew of the To-22M3 long-range bomber was preparing for a training mission when its ejection system malfunctioned and accidentally shot the crew out. The ministry said the alt altitude was not enough to open the parachute and three of the four crew members died of their injuries.
Russian media reported that the victims included Colonel Vadim Belosliutsev, commander of the bomber unit located at Shaikovka airbase near Kaluga.
Russian news reports say a fourth member of the crew survived the incident and was hospitalized.
An official investigation into the incident has been launched. Accidental activation of the rescue system is very rare, and some experts speculated that it may have been caused by an electrical fault or human error.
The Tu-22M3 is a supersonic twin-engine long-range bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
About 60 people are believed to be in the service of the Russian air force, and some have bombed Russia from their bases to strike terrorists in Syria.
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