The Russian air force is investigating the cause of a non-fatal crash involving one of its new Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft.

Both pilots ejected from the aircraft before it crashed near the city of Lipetsk on 30 May, according to Russian media reports.

Selected to meet Moscow’s future pilot training requirements, the Yak-130 is currently involved in flight testing by the air force, which has a requirement to field almost 150 of the type.

Yak-130 - Bodek Gallery AirSpace 
© Bodek gallery on Flightglobal.com/AirSpace
The Yak-130 was displayed at last year's MAKS airshow in Moscow

Manufactured by Russia’s Irkut, the Yak-130 is powered by two Klimov AI-222-25 turbofan engines. Algeria has also ordered 16 of the aircraft as part of a modernisation effort to its air force fleet, while Libya has also selected the type, says Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database.

Alenia Aermacchi’s M-346 also originates from the Russian-designed Yak-130. The Italian company pursued a joint development effort with Yakovlev before opting to produce its own version, which is now in production for the Italian air force.

Source: FlightGlobal.com