Lithuanian training jet L-39 Albatross crashes after midair collision with French fighter aircraft 3008111

a
 
World Air Force News - Lithuania
 
 
Lithuanian training jet L-39 Albatross crashes after midair collision with French fighter aircraft.
 
A French NATO Mirage Aircraft collided with a Lithuanian training plane L-39 Albatross during an exercise on Tuesday, causing the Lithuanian plane to crash, the Defence Ministry said.
     
A French NATO Mirage Aircraft collided with a Lithuanian training plane L-39 Albatross during an exercise on Tuesday, causing the Lithuanian plane to crash, the Defence Ministry said.
L-39 Albatross training aircraft Lithuanian Air Force
     
The Lithuanian plane fell and the pilot ejected safely on a lake, Putnikeke said. The French fighter landed without further incident.

The incident happened over the Siauliai airbase in northern Lithuania, where the NATO mission is based.

The Lithuanian plane crashed in a bog about 16 km from the base, a spokeswoman for the base said.

France currently has fighter jets based at Zokniai as part of NATO's air patrols over the Baltic.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have been members of the NATO military alliance since 2004, but since none of the three Baltic states has a substantial air force, planes from other NATO nations patrol their skies. The French contingent is due to hand over to Denmark on September 2.

     
A French NATO Mirage Aircraft collided with a Lithuanian training plane L-39 Albatross during an exercise on Tuesday, causing the Lithuanian plane to crash, the Defence Ministry said.
Mirage 2000-C fighter aircraft French Air Force