Venezuelan Military Aviation Su-30 Crash

A Venezuelan Military Aviation Su-30MK2 crashed in the Guaicaipuro municipality of Miranda state while rehearsing for an Independence Day flypast over the capital region. Authorities said the crew lost control after an engine fire that followed a bird strike; both pilots ejected, but one died after the ejection and the other survived. Venezuela ordered twenty-four Su-30MK2s from Russia in 2006, and the type is the country's only modern combat aircraft, flown in the air defence and maritime strike roles. Attrition and the difficulty of sourcing spares have steadily reduced the serviceable fleet.