According to combat aircraft magazine, global aviation world mourned a series of devastating incidents between August 14 and September 9, 2025, with nine aircraft destroyed and at least 31 lives lost. Here’s a concise recap of the recent losses.
A Russian Air Force Su-25SM crashed into the Black Sea near Zmiinyi Island, Ukraine, on August 14, killing two pilots presumed dead after an unsuccessful search. On August 20, a US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot ejected off Virginia during a training flight, was rescued, and is under investigation. A Colombian Police Black Hawk was shot down by drones near Estadio Mayor Central on August 21, killing 13 of 16 onboard during an evacuation. That same day, a Malaysian F/A-18D Hornet crashed at Kuantan Air Base; all survived, but operations were suspended. On August 23, a US Marine Super Stallion was damaged beyond repair at Camp Pendleton after a fire, with all personnel safe.
Tragedy struck again on August 28 when a Polish F-16 crashed at Radom Air Base, killing pilot Major Maciej (“Kawka”). A Russian Mi-8MTV-1 hard-landed on Iturup Island on August 29, injuring two but sparing the pilots. On August 30, two Romanian Mi-8s were hit by Ukrainian drones near Ovardskeye-Hvardiske, killing all onboard one aircraft. In Pakistan, a Mirage 5 ROSE III crashed near Sargodha on September 1 during a tourist flight, followed by another on September 9 where the pilot ejected injured; a Pakistan Army Mi-17 also crashed, killing all five aboard. These incidents highlight a turbulent period for global aviation
