Tragedy at the Portuguese Air Show in Beja: Pilot Dead

Tragedy at the Portuguese Air Show in Beja: Pilot Dead

A social media video captured a formation of six planes in flight when one suddenly ascended, appeared to touch another, and then plummeted to the ground, NDTV World reports on June 2nd.

Two small planes collided midair on Sunday during an air show in southern Portugal, according to the air force. Media reports indicate that one of the pilots was killed. The aircraft involved were identified as Yakovlev Yak-52s, a Soviet-designed aerobatic training model.

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Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and the show at Beja airport was suspended by the organizers.

A spectator’s video posted on social media showed a formation of six planes in flight. One plane ascended, appeared to touch another, and then crashed to the ground.

Portuguese newspapers cited witnesses who stated that the six aircraft belonged to an aerobatic group called the “Yak Stars.”

Organizers billed the event as featuring the largest civilian aerobatics group in southern Europe.

NDTV World and agencies