2 pilots killed in Russian helicopter crash in Syria

A picture taken at the Kubinka airfield near Moscow, on March 28, 2009, shows Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev standing next to a Ka-52 Alligator, helicopter gunship, the same type as the one that crashed yesterday in the northwestern Tver region. The sign on the helicopter reads: “Kamov-52.” The Russian Defense Ministry said today both crew members have been killed in the crash of the Ka-52 helicopter in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow. AFP PHOTO / RIA NOVOSTI / KREMLIN POOL / DMITRY ASTAKHOV / AFP PHOTO / RIA-NOVOSTI KREMLIN POOL / DMITRY ASTAKHOV

MOSCOW — Russia’s Defense Ministry says one of its helicopters has crashed in Syria, killing both pilots.

The ministry said late Monday that the Ka-52 attack helicopter crashed on a flight in eastern Syria and that preliminary information indicated the crash was due to technical problems. It did not give further details.

The Ka-52 uses a coaxial rotor system — two rotors on the same axis but rotating in opposite directions.

It was the second fatal incident involving Russian military aircraft in Syria this month. An Su-300 fighter plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on May 3 while climbing after takeoff from the Hemeimeem air base, killing both pilots.   /muf