Aircraft, preflight checks were in order before crash in Georgia

The Georgian Ministry of Defence said its preliminary investigation showed the Su-25 aircraft that crashed during an exercise yesterday had been “fully checked” and preflight inspections carried out.

The body was commenting on the crash of the ground attack aircraft in Kvemo Kartli that killed an Aviation and Air Command pilot.

“All procedures stipulated by the regulations were observed in the preflight checks for the airframe," the ministry said.

According to the body, investigators worked throughout the night on an area of ​​several hectares around the crash site, with Minister Irakli Chikovani and Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the Chief of the country’s Defence Forces, present at the scene.

“All necessary procedures” were being carried out to “fully investigate the tragic incident”, the ministry added, confirming parts of the aircraft had been identified and its black box located.