Date:	Tuesday 30 August 2011
Time:	10:30 LT
Type:	Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros
Owner/operator:	Lithuanian Air Force
Registration:	1.
MSN:	39540.
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	3 mi from Siauliai -   Lithuania
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Siauliai International Airport (Zokniai) - EYSA
Destination airport:	Siauliai International Airport (Zokniai) - EYSA
Confidence Rating:	Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources

Narrative:
..A Lithuanian military plane has crashed after colliding in mid-air with a French Mirage 2000 Nato jet.

Both Lithuanian pilots managed to eject and were later found unhurt. According to Lithuanian defense chief Arvydas Pocius they had aimed the stricken aircraft towards an unpopulated area to avoid casualties before ejecting to safety.

The L-39 plane came down in swampland near Rekyva lake, three miles from the air base and there have been no reports of injuries on the ground.

The French Mirage 2000C fighter landed safely after the accident at Siauliai International Airport (Zokniai / EYSA), in northern Lithuania.

An investigation has been launched to find out what went wrong.

France has fighter jets based at Zokniai as part of Nato's air patrols over the Baltic countries, which have only limited air defences.

A spokesman for the French Air Force confirmed one of its jets had been involved in an incident but was unable to provide any detailed information.

"An L-39 Lithuanian military plane collided with French Mirage jet in the air," said Leva Gulbiniene, assistant commander at the Siauliai air base.

"The two Lithuanian pilots ejected successfully and were found uninjured.

"The French military plane landed successfully."

Aerial photographs of the crash site released by Lithuania's Defense Ministry show what appear to be parts of the wreckage scattered around a crater surrounded by trees. Defense chief Arvydas Pocius added: 'All questions will be answered after we recover the crashed plane's black box.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2031821/Miraculous-escape-pilots-military-jets-collide-Nato-training-exercise.html
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/lithuanian-plane-french-nato-jet-collide-095925330.html
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=45141
[LINK NOT WORKING ANYMORE:http://www.modbee.com/2011/08/30/1836644/lithuanian-jet-crashes-after-midair.html]

https://www.diena.lv/pasaule/papildinata-saulu-apkaime-gaisa-saskrejusas-lietuvas-un-francijas-militaras-lidmasinas-13900692

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
30-Aug-2011 04:49	gerard57	Added
30-Aug-2011 05:04	RobertMB	Updated [Aircraft type, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]
30-Aug-2011 05:14	RobertMB	Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Source, Narrative]
30-Aug-2011 05:23	Alpine Flight	Updated [Registration, Cn]
30-Aug-2011 16:05	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Location, Source, Narrative]
30-Aug-2020 16:53	TB	Updated [Location, Source, Narrative]