Tomorrow’s airshow at Graf Ignatievo Air Base near Plovdiv, Bulgaria, has been cancelled following a fatal accident during the practice sessions.
Two pilots died when their L-39ZA Albatross crashed. Both were flight instructors from Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base, identified as Major Petko Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Dunkin.
The free-to-attend airshow was due to be held tomorrow, Saturday 14th September, featuring a four-hour flying display of Bulgarian military equipment. The main themes were due to be the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria joining NATO and the 35th anniversary of MiG-29 operations.
Airshows have traditionally been held at Graf Ignatievo once every few years, but they are not held on a regular schedule and are generally announced with just weeks to go. The most recent show was in 2022, after which the base was temporarily closed to allow for runway resurfacing before the first F-16s arrive.