Russia Suspends MiG-29 Flights After Crash In Chita

MiG-29s have been grounded.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has ordered a temporary suspension to flights of MiG-29 warplanes after one of those planes crashed in the Chita area of eastern Russia on September 6 for reasons that were not immediately clear.

Initial reports said the pilot was able to eject from the plane before it went down but later reports said the body of the pilot has been found near the wreckage of the warplane.

The Defense Ministry said the MiG-29 disappeared from the radar shortly after taking off from the Domna air base.

The Defense Ministry said there were no other casualties or damage from the crash and the plane did not have weapons aboard.

An investigative team was sent to the site of the crash.

Based on reporting from ITAR-TASS and IFX Rus