One of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Gripen fighter jets crashed on the grounds of Szolnok military airfield on Monday after suffering a malfunction during a training mission. The pilot ejected from the aircraft. Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, the Defence Minister and former Chief of the General Staff, has revealed fresh details of the incident, which could have resulted in an even more serious catastrophe and endangered further lives at the military airfield. He said the outcome depended on the experience and presence of mind of the 51-year-old pilot.
Gripens were practising high-speed interceptions
As we reported on Monday, the aircraft had been conducting high-speed interception drills in Hungarian airspace alongside another Gripen. After completing a second exercise, however, a fault warning appeared and the mission was abandoned. The two aircraft then headed for Szolnok, as the malfunctioning fighter could no longer safely return to its home base at Kecskemét.
The pilot ejected during the landing, while firefighters arriving at the scene extinguished the blaze within minutes.
The aircraft was carrying air-to-air missiles and ammunition for its cannon, meaning the consequences could have been considerably worse had the pilot made an error. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but Mr Ruszin-Szendi gave important new details in an interview with Gábor Bochkor on Retro Radio’s morning programme.
‘All instruments went black’
Mr Ruszin-Szendi said the Gripen was being flown by a 51-year-old pilot with more than 2,000 flying hours, including experience on international operations. The fighter pilot was in excellent physical condition but suffered spinal injuries in the crash and was undergoing surgery at the Honvéd Hospital.
According to the minister, the two aircraft had taken off from Kecskemét to practise high-speed interceptions. They successfully completed the first exercise and returned, but warnings began appearing in rapid succession at the end of the second interception. The cockpit instruments then went black.
Mr Ruszin-Szendi said this made for an especially difficult situation because Gripens have no analogue instruments. In such circumstances, the pilot cannot read the aircraft’s speed or altitude from conventional dials, but must instead fly primarily by visual reference.
Aircraft began veering to the right
The situation was eased somewhat by the fact that radio contact between the two Gripens was not lost. With assistance from the accompanying aircraft, the malfunctioning fighter reached Szolnok airfield, where the pilot managed to land.
The difficulties did not end there, however. The aircraft began veering to the right on the runway, and the pilot ejected only after realising that he could no longer regain control.
Mr Ruszin-Szendi said the pilot had attempted until the final moment to save the fighter jet, estimated to be worth around 30 billion forints, while also putting his own life at risk.
He added that ejection was no easy ordeal, as it could itself impose severe physical strain. A pilot may be subjected to forces of up to 15 to 20 G — 15 to 20 times the force of gravity — which is believed to have occurred in this case and may have contributed to the spinal injury.
If you missed – Polish bus driver speaks out after deadly Hungary crash: ‘No words can ease the families’ pain’
The injury may also have been worsened by the pilot landing on the concrete after ejecting.
Mr Ruszin-Szendi visited the injured pilot in hospital. The airman was said to have been pleased that he could move all his limbs, and had already asked when he could return to flying duties.
Saab seeks answers over crash
The question now is how Hungary will replace the lost Gripen. Mr Ruszin-Szendi said a decision could be made only once the investigation had established what happened.
Swedish manufacturer Saab is also keen to determine the precise cause of the accident and is providing technical assistance to the inquiry.
The minister said relations with the manufacturer were good, though negotiations over the price of a possible replacement aircraft would be a separate matter.
The flight recorders have yet to be analysed, and there is still no definitive explanation for the crash.
Dramatic car chase at Lake Balaton: Police shoot at driver after he tries to run them down – video
