Two Russian airmen died instantly after the ejector seats of their Sukhoi SU-34 fighter-bomber unexpectedly activated while the aircraft was parked inside a concrete hangar, according to reports from TVP World.
The aircraft was reportedly inside a hardened shelter when both the pilot’s and navigator’s seats fired, propelling them into the ceiling. Ejector seats use an explosive charge or small rocket to blast crew members clear of the cockpit, normally after the canopy has been jettisoned during an in-flight emergency.
Why the mechanism activated while the aircraft was stationary remains unclear. Military aviation channels on Telegram reported that the incident occurred at a Russian airbase in early December, though authorities have not disclosed the exact location or timing.
Russian media say the Defence Ministry has opened an investigation to determine whether the accident was caused by technical failure or human error. No official comment has been released so far.
Source: TVP World