NTSB Releases Preliminary Report in Airshow MiG Accident

Pilots who ejected during Thunder Over Michigan performance suggest that the engine lost power.

Monday, August 28, 2023 at 10:27 AM ET

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The MiG-23, seen here taking off in Lakeland, Florida in April 2023, crashed while performing the air show finale. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB has released a preliminary report on the crash of a privately owned MiG-23UM at the Thunder Over Michigan airshow, where both pilots safely ejected with minor injuries.
The preliminary report indicates the pilot experienced an engine afterburner failure and decreasing airspeed, leading to the rear seat observer initiating ejection while the pilot was still troubleshooting.
The jet crashed near apartments, damaging vehicles, and resulted in a post-impact explosion and fire, with the full NTSB investigation still ongoing.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the preliminary report on the investigation into the crash of a privately owned MiG-23UM at the Thunder Over Michigan airshow earlier this month.

As previously reported by FLYING, on August 13 both pilots ejected from MiG at low altitude during an airshow performance. The pilots sustained minor injuries in the event and were rescued from Belleville Lake. The jet came down near the Waverly on the Lake Apartments in Belleville, damaging a few cars.