Jet Ejections That Made Aviation History

Sknyliv Sukhoi-Su 27 Air Show Disaster

Known as the deadliest airshow incident in history, the Skynyliv air show crash in Ukraine in 2002 rocked the aviation world. With 10,000 spectators present, the pilots prepared to take to the skies for the 60th anniversary celebration of the Ukrainian Air Force’s 14th Air Corps. Head pilot, Volodymyr Toponar, and his co-pilot, Yuriy Yegorov, were among those that would be performing in a Sukhoi-Su 27 aircraft. Shortly after the two began their flight routine, something went terribly wrong. After entering a rolling maneuver in a downward trajectory, the left wing hit the ground. The plane skidded along the ground and quickly engulfed in flames, but not before the pilots were able to safely eject themselves from the jet.

While the pilots escaped without injury, the fiery crash killed 77 spectators and injured over 500 others. In 2005, military court sentenced Toponar to 14 years and Yegorov to 8 years in jail for negligence and failure to follow flight rules.