Mauritanian Air Force Tucano crashes; pilot killed

A Mauritanian Air Force trainer aircraft has crashed, killing the pilot whilst he was taking off on a training mission.

A Mauritanian military pilot died 21 August 2011 Sunday when his plane crashed during a training exercise near Chinguetti, the defence ministry announced. The engine of the plane caught fire during takeoff, Pana reported. The aircraft belonged to the Ecole Militaire Inter Armes (EMIA) in Atar.

Last year France began supplying Mauritania with ex-French Tucanos. Between 1993 and 2009. Four ex French examples that have been refurbished before delivery to the Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie.

The Mauritanian army is receiving training from French pilots. Mauritania is looking to strengthen its military capabilities by acquiring modern equipment and receiving foreign training.


French pilots are training the Mauritanian armed forces "in the use of the Embraer Tucano EMB 312-F, a relatively high-performance Brazilian aircraft", according to a Spanish newspaper.


Source: 2011-08-22 - www.magharebia.com

Photo: Mauritanian EMB-312F Tucano serial 463/5T-MAI. (xairforces.net)


(27.08.2011)