Ukraine plane crash survivor dies as toll climbs to 26
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday praised the only survivor of a military plane crash as the death toll climbed to 26, after another cadet died and three more bodies were found.
Zelensky went to the scene of the tragedy near to the northeastern city of Kharkiv where an Antonov An-26 transport plane carrying 20 air force cadets and seven officers crashed throughout a training flight on Friday evening.
"Ukraine has lost 26 worthy sons," Zelensky said on Facebook, discussing the cadets and officers of the Kharkiv National Air Force University.
"It is difficult to find words expressing the pain of this loss," he said, declaring Saturday a day of mourning.
The plane burst into flames on landing near a highway around two kilometres (multiple mile) from the Chuguiv military air base.
On Saturday, the death toll rose after three more bodies were found under the charred remains of the plane and among the two survivors died in hospital from comprehensive burns.
Zelensky visited the only remaining survivor in a military hospital in Kharkiv, posting a picture of the 20-year-old cadet lying during intercourse with a bandaged head and right arm.
He said the cadet, Vyacheslav Zolochevsky, "found his senses near to the wreckage of the An-26."
"The plane was destroyed, there is fire, darkness and bodies all around. Among the guys was burning," he said on Facebook, adding that Zolochevsky rushed to save him.
The next cadet died in hospital, the Ukrainian president said as he praised Zolochevsky for his "heroism."
"Ukraine is pleased with you!" he said.
Doctors said that Zolochevsky suffered a concussion but his life had not been in danger.
Most cadets onboard were thought to be between your ages of 19 and 22.
One other cadet had not been allowed on the flight.
Zelensky said the cause of the crash ought to be quickly established and called for an "objective" investigation.
Investigators were looking at several possible factors behind the crash including technical malfunction, human error and poor aircraft maintenance.
The SBU security service said the plane was performing an exercise flight however the cadets were not involved in piloting it.
The security service, citing preliminary information, said the pilot reported an engine failure and seven minutes later the plane hit the bottom.
Defence Minister Andriy Taran said "the plane likely caught the bottom with its wing" and burst into flames.
Citing preliminary information, the defence minister said that among the sensors in the left engine had failed. He said the final conclusion will be made after authorities analyse the plane's black boxes.
"Everything went according to plan: the plane was performing an exercise flight for cadets," he said.
He said the instructor was at the controls and cadets took turns to sit next to the pilot.
Taran said the aircraft was manufactured in 1977 but could possibly be operated for three more years without undergoing repairs.
On Friday, the plane made six take-offs and five landings, he said.
Officials said all flights by An-26 aircraft would for the present time be suspended.
Numerous foreign leaders including Polish President Andrzej Duda, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell expressed their condolences.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved types of the cadets, officers, and crew killed and injured in the An-26 plane crash," said the united states embassy in Ukraine.
The town of Chuguiv, with a population greater than 30,000 people, is situated around 30 kilometres southeast of Kharkiv.
Chuguiv also lies some 100 kilometres west of leading line where government forces are fighting pro-Russian separatists.
About 24 meters long and with a wingspan of 29 metres, the Antonov An-26 was designed in Soviet-era Ukraine.
Several military planes have crashed during training flights in Ukraine in recent years. - AFP
