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Romanian Air Force Tragedies
October and November 2006

The Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane) has suffered two aircraft crashes in as many months.
On October 24, 2006 an IAR-330L Puma (03) crashed into Golesti reservoir, near Pitesti in southern Romania. The crew of three died when the Bucharest (Baza Aeriană 90 de Transport Otopeni) based helicopter plunged into the water. Eyewitnesses reported that Romanian built VIP version Puma was flying with another Puma just above the lake when its engine appeared to fail and it fell into the water.

On November 7, 2007 IAR.330L Puma SOCAT (59) crashed south of Pitesti after an in-flight fire, on hitting the ground the aircraft exploded. The three crew members were all killed.

IAR-330L Puma (03), image 2997w3
The ill-fated IAR-330L Puma (03) during routine maintenance at Otopeni in July 2006.
It was with 903rd Squadron (903 Escadrila) at 90th Transport Base (Baza 90 Aviatie de Transport 'Gheorghe Banciulescu').

Just one month later a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 LanceR-C (6721) crashed on a flight on November 22, 2006 near the town of Beliu, killing the pilot. The aircraft had been previously been stored at Campia Turzii (Baza Aeriană 71) and was actually on its first test flight following a recent overhaul. The LanceR is a Romanian upgrade of the cold war fighter from 1997 and is the Romanian Air Force's primary fighter since their MiG-23's, MiG-29's and IAR.93's were withdrawn some years ago.
MiG-21 LanceR-C (6721), image 2302w5
The ill-fated MiG-21 LanceR-C '6721' awaiting overhaul to return it to flight at Campia Turzii.
The MiG-21 LanceR-C was with 712 Squadron (Escadrila Aviatie Vânătoare) at 71st Air Base (Baza Aeriană 71).

Temporary storage area at Campia Turzii, image 2454w5

The temporary storage area with all three variants of MiG-21 LanceR,  including the MiG-21 LanceR-C '6721'