Prosecutors Blame Military, Pilots for Ukraine Crash

The plane was in the middle of a mid-air maneuver when it plummeted to the ground and skidded across the runway. The plane exploded into a fireball on the runway, sending bits of debris into the crowd.

Prosecutor-General Sviatoslav Piskun said pilot error and bad planning were behind the crash. He said organizers of the air show should not have allowed stunts to be performed directly over spectators and said the pilots, who survived the crash, were flying the aircraft too low for their stunts to be performed safely.

“It was negligence, military negligence … it was a crime committed by the military,” Piskun told reporters. “Also there were signs of criminal actions by pilots. They used this vehicle incorrectly.”

Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma declared Monday a day of mourning for the nation of some 50 million people. Mourners held the first funerals for those killed in the incident, which included 23 children.

In response to the crash, the Defense Ministry banned all military flights except those necessary for air force business. President Kuchma is still reportedly considering the resignation of Defense Minister Vladimir Shkidchenko, which was submitted Sunday.

Former Air Force Commander Gen. Col. Vladimir Strelnikov and Lt. Col. S. Opyshchak, both of whom were fired over the weekend, were arrested Monday and detained on suspicion of “negligent attitude to military service that led to grave consequences,” Piskun’s office said.

Prosecutors said a court would decide whether to arrest the two pilots once the men recover from their injuries.