Mid-air Collision Involving Yak-52 Aircraft at Air Show in Portugal

Tragedy struck the Beja Air Show in southern Portugal on June 2 as two Yak-52 aircraft from the 'Yakstars' aerobatics team collided mid-air during a performance.

The collision claimed the life of Manuel Rey Cordeiro, a skilled pilot and the lead solo flyer of the team. He was also a captain for the Spanish airline Vueling.

Another pilot, of Portuguese nationality, sustained serious injuries in the incident. Prompt emergency treatment was administered before the injured pilot was swiftly transported to Beja hospital for further medical attention.

The collision occurred at 4:05 pm local time during an aerial demonstration involving six aircraft, as confirmed by a statement from the Portuguese Air Force.

A video, widely circulated on social media, captured the heart-wrenching moment when one of the planes appeared to make contact with another before plummeting to the ground in a cloud of smoke. Fortunately, the second aircraft involved in the collision managed to land safely on the airport tarmac, sparing spectators from harm.

The 'Yakstars' aerobatics team, comprising both Spanish and Portuguese pilots, was among the featured performers at the Beja Air Show, which boasted participation from approximately 30 European aerobatic groups. Following the collision, organizers decided to suspend the event, which had commenced the previous day.