Russia's Air Force Chief has grounded all its MIG-29 fighter jets following a crash near the city of Chita in Siberia.

The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Valerian Koparyev, died in the crash. He was alone on board during the test flight.
 
Russia's emergency ministry says nobody on the ground was hurt in the accident.

Preliminary investigations indicate the crash was caused by a technical failure.

In October this year another MIG-29 crashed in the region. Back then the pilot successfully ejected the aircraft and survived.

The fourth-generation MIG-29 jet-fighters, first produced in 1982, are common in the Russian Air Force and have been sold to many other countries.

MiG-29 Version B
 
Length, 17,32m
Wing span, 11,36m
Height,  4,73m

Take-off weight:
 – standard 14 900 kg
 – maximum 18 000 kg

Maximum flight speed:
 – near ground 1500 km/h
 – at high altitude 2400 km/h

Maximum M-number 2,25
Service ceiling, 18 000m
Maximum G-load 9

Ferry range:
 – without drop tanks 1500 km
 – with 1 drop tanks 2100 km

Engines RD-33 series 2 or 3
Take-off thrust, kilogram force 2х8300

Weapons:
Number of external stations 6
“A-A” missiles:
 – middle range 2хR-27R1
 – short range 6хR-73E
Air gun, 30 mm GSh-301