Small plane crashes in Romania: AUR politician seriously injured
A tragic accident occurred on Saturday afternoon near Iași, Romania, when a small aircraft crashed close to a military unit. The plane was piloted by Marian Jan Chiriță, a local councillor of the opposition party Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), who was widely known as an experienced aviator. Two people were injured in the crash, one of them in life-threatening condition.
Severe injuries reported
According to Krónika.ro, paramedics arriving at the scene found two men conscious but seriously injured. The 55-year-old Chiriță suffered a skull injury as well as extensive burns to his chest, abdomen, and legs. His companion, a 51-year-old man, was hospitalised with chest and abdominal trauma. Both were transported to the St. Spiridon Hospital in Iași.
Plane crashed in military zone
The accident happened in a wooded military area. The impact sparked a fire that was extinguished by army personnel and firefighters working together. The Romanian Army confirmed that no military buildings or infrastructure were affected. The downed aircraft was an Ikarus light plane, designed for civilian use.
An experienced pilot
The incident shocked the local community, as Chiriță was considered a highly experienced pilot. He owned the aircraft, flew it several times a week, and often took friends on leisure flights.
Marius Ostaficiuc, leader of AUR in Iași County, stated: “I don’t know what could have happened, the plane was in good condition. I flew with him as a passenger myself, and he often took friends on flights. Marian Jan Chiriță was extremely cautious, always respecting all rules. I believe this tragedy could only have been caused by a technical failure.”
Investigation underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the crash. Preliminary information suggests a technical malfunction may have been behind the accident, though the exact cause will only be clarified after a full expert analysis.