MOSCOW (AP) – Three members of the air crew of a Russian bomber were killed on Tuesday when their ejection seats were accidentally activated during pre-flight checks, the military said.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the incident happened at an air base in the Kaluga region, about 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Moscow.
The crew of a long-range Tu-22M3 bomber was said to be preparing for a training mission when its ejection system failed and the crew was accidentally fired. The ministry said the altitude was not enough for the parachute to open and three of the four crew members were injured.
Russian media reported that among the victims was Colonel Vadim Beloslyudtsev, the commander of the bomber unit stationed at Shaikovka air base near Kaluga.
According to Russian reports, the fourth member of the crew survived the incident and was hospitalized.
An official investigation into the incident has begun. Accidental activation of the rescue system is extremely rare and some experts speculated that it could have been caused by a malfunction or a human error.
The Tu-22M3 is a long-range twin-engine supersonic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
An estimated 60 remain in service with the Russian Air Force, and some have carried out bombing missions to attack militants in Syria from their bases in Russia.