The State Bureau of Investigation (SBU) of Ukraine has released the first technical details of the Su-24M bomber crash that occurred in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. During the investigation, which has been ongoing for over two months, specialists have completed the decoding of the flight data recorders. The obtained information allowed for the reconstruction of the final seconds of the flight and the formulation of a preliminary version regarding the causes of the tragedy that claimed the lives of two pilots.
"Black Box" Data: Control System Failure
According to data obtained from the flight recorder, the immediate cause of the loss of control was the failure of control system elements on the aircraft's left wing. The incident occurred at an altitude of over 600 meters. At the moment of critical failure, the aircraft began to rotate uncontrollably around its axis. The speed of descent reached 809 km/h, making the possibility of saving the crew virtually zero. The aircraft crashed to the ground, turning into a pile of twisted metal, fragments of which were found near settlements in the Shepetivka district.
Bird Strike Version
Parallel to the decoding of the flight recorder data, specialists of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted an internal investigation. According to their preliminary conclusions, the damage to the critical nodes of the aircraft could have been caused by an external factor — a collision with a large bird. This version is considered the most likely at this stage, although it requires additional confirmation from independent experts. The SBU noted that other possible scenarios, including technical malfunction, would be checked to establish the true cause of the accident.
Chronology of the Tragedy and Takeoff Circumstances
The aviation disaster occurred on June 16, 2026, at approximately 19:00. On that day, the aircraft was performing a scheduled flight, which was the second sortie for this crew. The tragedy happened in the immediate vicinity of one of the settlements in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Both crew members died at the scene. Previously, law enforcement agencies had already reported the start of an investigation in the Shepetivka district, however, detailed technical data became available only now.
Contradictory Data
At the current stage of the investigation, there are certain discrepancies in the interpretation of the data. On the one hand, the SBU records a mechanical failure of the left wing control system as a fact recorded by the flight recorder. On the other hand, the bird strike version voiced by the Air Force is hypothetical and has not yet been confirmed by the final conclusion of experts. Final conclusions regarding the causes of the aviation disaster will be made only after the completion of all appointed expert examinations and the comparison of all versions.
