MiG-23 Soviet-Era Jet Crashes at Michigan Air Show: Occupants Eject Safely

Dramatic Crash at Thunder Over Michigan Air Show Raises Questions

MiG-23 Soviet-Era Jet Crashes Moments after Safe Ejection of Occupants at Michigan Air Show

In a harrowing scene at the Thunder Over Michigan air show, a MiG-23 jet crashes into flames following safe ejection of its pilot and passenger.

Belleville, Michigan: A Soviet-era MiG-23 warplane, featured as part of the Thunder Over Michigan air show, crashed dramatically, erupting into flames, just moments after its two occupants managed to safely eject from the aircraft. The incident unfolded at the Yankee Air Museum's highly anticipated event on Sunday.

As the pilot and passenger sat tandem in the MiG-23 jet, partaking in the thrilling display at the air show, the unexpected occurred. In a fortunate turn of events, both individuals successfully ejected from the aircraft using parachutes, landing safely on the ground below. As a precautionary measure, they were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.

Miraculously, there have been no reported injuries as a result of the incident.

The crash transpired shortly after 16:00 ET (21:00 BST) in Belleville, Michigan. The MiG-23 jet careened into an area of unoccupied vehicles within a parking lot at the Waverly on the Lake Apartments. Thankfully, one apartment building narrowly escaped the crash, averting a potential disaster, confirmed the Wayne County Airport Authority.

Eyewitnesses were stunned as they watched the plane "burst into a raging fireball," characterized by local media accounts. Thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky, creating a haunting visual backdrop before emergency response teams arrived to swiftly extinguish the flames.

Video footage captured during the incident revealed brief bursts of flames emanating from the aircraft just as the pilot and passenger initiated their ejections, showcasing the critical moment of escape.

At present, the exact cause of the crash remains shrouded in uncertainty. The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the unfortunate event.

The pilot responsible for the MiG-23 during the air show was identified as Dan Filer, a retired Navy pilot hailing from Texas. Notably, Mr. Filer is known for piloting the world's only privately owned operational MiG-23, a testament to his passion for collecting Soviet-made fighter jets. In an interview last year with a Louisiana news outlet, he expressed his unique connection to the aircraft.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, a prominent Soviet warplane renowned for its sophisticated radar and fire control system, played a pivotal role during the Cold War era. Its ability to engage targets beyond visual range via missile systems was one of its standout features, as documented by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

As aviation enthusiasts and investigators alike await answers, the incident underscores the risks and challenges inherent to showcasing vintage military aircraft in air shows.