Russian Jets Collide in Air Show Rehearsal

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2 Russian Jets Collide in Air Show Rehearsal

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 16, 2009

Filed at 9:45 a.m. ET

MOSCOW (AP) -- Two Russian air force fighters rehearsing acrobatic maneuvers collided Sunday near Moscow, killing one pilot and sending the jets crashing into nearby vacation homes, a military official said.

The Su-27 fighters were members of the elite Russian Knights flying group preparing to perform at the MAKS-2009 air show -- the largest and most important exhibition for Russia's aerospace industry.

Air force spokesman Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said the jets collided near Zhukovsky airfield, east of Moscow, where the air show opens Tuesday.

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