We insisted that the data from the plane's black box be read in its entirety so that the entire flight could be reproduced. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov in "Face to face" on bTV, on the occasion of the results of the black box of the downed plane at the "Graf Ignatievo" air base, quoted by novini.bg. The two pilots died in the accident.
"Today we presented the flight from takeoff to the occurrence of this unfortunate event. The pilots were flying the plane all the time, there was no moment when there was a technical failure of the machine," Zapryanov explained.
In his words, the pilots took an excessive risk. "The reason is that this exercise has been performed many times," he added.
"The black box indicates that the aircraft is controllable. The pilot controls and he makes decisions on how to complete the figure. He trusted the experience and expertise he has and can take the risk," Minister Zapryanov pointed out.
Minister Zapryanov confirmed that the pilots had enough flight hours. "It is absurd to write flight hours", he was categorical. He explained that the pilots were performing an exercise that is part of combat training.
"We can count on complete objectivity in the expertise. I'm confident that whatever team analyzes the data will see the same. This data recreates the fields, they cannot be changed or manipulated," Zapryanov was categorical.
According to him, a more complex check is currently underway to check the training of the pilots. "We will be able to look at other aspects of airman training. I want to see how the commanders work, how the pilots work. We want the pilots to be secured and to perform the tasks for which they are trained. The lives of the pilots are valuable to us, then let's give them the necessary training, added the Minister of Defense.
He pointed out that similar plane crashes also happen in other countries. "This is a high-risk profession. But let us turn to our country. We are not comfortable with such things happening, so we are doing checks. We must take maximum measures so that such things do not happen," he added.
Tomorrow is Air Force Day. It will be without a solemn part, just laying a wreath in front of the pilot's monument. We owe this to all who have served and those who continue to serve, added the defense minister.
"The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East do not directly threaten us militarily. We protect the airspace with our own forces. There were many aviation exercises in Bulgaria this year. NATO within the framework of collective defense guarantees our defense. We have the capability to cover drones. The next parliament should develop a procedure for unregulated drones flying. To be able to be taken down. We observe drones, including amateur ones, flying over strategic targets," Zapryanov also commented.