From The Archives: Paris Air Show 1989 Marred By MiG-29 Fighter Crash In Front Of Crowd

The opening of the 1989 Paris Air Show was marred by the crash of a Soviet Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter during a flight demonstration in front of thousands of spectators, but the pilot was able to steer the doomed aircraft away from the crowd and safely eject, averting a major tragedy. 

Meanwhile, the thawing of the Cold War was evidenced by the appearance of the Sukhoi Su-27 long-range interceptor, which made its first flight demonstration outside the Soviet Union and was featured on our June 19 cover. 

The Su-27 “demonstrated that it is capable of controlled flight at angles of attack well beyond those that can be attained by contemporary Western combat aircraft,” Aviation Week reported. The Soviets also brought their new Buran space shuttle to Le Bourget. 

“The Soviets stole the show at this year’s Paris Air Show in every way,” Aviation Week wrote in an editorial. 

“Their first-line aircraft, a novel flight maneuver, interesting exhibits and a remarkable openness were topic ‘A’ at Le Bourget. Nearly everyone agreed that without the Soviets, the 38th Paris Air Show would have been as stimulating as flat seltzer.

See the issue dated Jun. 19, 1989 of Aviation Week & Space Technology with the Su-27 on the cover.

Read the article about the Sukhoi Su-27 on page 28. 

Read more about the crash of the MiG-29 fighter at the 1989 Paris Air Show.

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