The sky is usually ruled by fighter aircraft such as the F-16, F-22, or F-35 of the United States and its allies. In other parts of the world, Russian planes such as the MiG-35 and the MiG-29 Fulcrum are the dominant forces.
It may not be a 5th-gen fighter jet, but it would take a skillful pilot and technological advancements to take down a MiG-29 in the skies. On the ground, however, a drunk captain and Volkswagen Touran was all that was needed to significantly damage one.
MiG-29 Jet Hit While Being Towed On Ground
Powered by 2 × Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofan engines, the MiG is considerably fast with max speed of Mach 2.25. But when being towed on the ground, it's as fast as the vehicle pulling it. But compared to a speeding vehicle such as the Touran, the MiG-29 is a slow-moving massive target—basically a sitting duck to say the least.
The MiG-29 Fulcrum in the accident belongs to 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force. At the time of the incident, the MiG-29 was at Vasylkiv Air Base in central Ukraine. It's one of the more than 30 MiG-29s being employed by the country's Air Force, along with Su-24s, Su-25s and Su-27s.
Significant Damage To Both The MiG-29 And VW Touran
Apparently, the Touran—the personal vehicle of a 47-year-old Ukrainian Air Force Captain who was under the influence of alcohol at the time—hit the rear section of the MiG-29 at high speeds. In particular, the collision damaged the aircraft's right engine exhaust nozzle, tail fin, and rear stabilizer. The fighter jet also caught fire on its rear section.
When the accident occurred, the pilot wasn't on board the MiG-29. The Touran's driver, however, sustained some injuries, in particular to his face and chest. He was in a "satisfactory" condition after receiving first aid right after the collision. The VW SUV, on the other hand, suffered damage on its front end. The hood has been breached and the engine might have also been damaged.
Costly Accident: Don't Drink And Drive
Developed and built by the Mikoyan Design Bureau as an air superiority fighter jet, the MiG-29 isn't cheap. Each MiG-29 costs millions of dollars (or rubles) to acquire; it may also cost a few more millions to repair. Lesson? Never drink and drive, or else you'll be charged for fighter jet repair.
Source: Ozboratel, Air Command Central