Failed To Pull Out Of Dive

Investigators in Russia have determined it was human error that brought down a Russian warplane in late July, killing the two pilots onboard.

The Su-24M Fencer bomber was flying over the country's westernmost region about 15 miles southwest of Kaliningrad when, officials say, the pilot failed to pull out of a high-speed dive at low altitude. The plane was one of several Baltic Fleet Fencers flying in a battle formation.

"Having descended from 1,200 to 450 meters, the crew commander took action to pull the aircraft out of the dive," said a release obtained by Interfax. "However, he was unable to do so due to the high vertical velocity and a steep bank as well as the narrow altitude margin."

Officials believe Lt. Col. Viktor Peshekhontsev had dived to avoid a dense cloudbank. Both he and and navigator Lt. Col. Boris Sedov were killed.

A special Defense Ministry commission was formed to look into the accident, which was the second to strike an Su-24 this year. In January, another Fencer went down in central Russia... but both pilots were able to eject in that accident.

FMI: www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mo.htm