41. A Russian pilot was aboard a helicopter gunship that went missing in northeastern Sri Lanka Wednesday during a mission against Tamil Tiger guerrillas, defence sources here said. 42. According to informed but unconfirmed sources, the two Russian pilots on the plane both escaped the carnage unhurt. 43. According to informed but uncomfirmed sources, the two Russian pilots on the plane both escaped the carnage unhurt. 44. Airport police said the dead man was understood to be the Russian pilot. 45. Bleach was convicted for arms smuggling along with five Russian pilots and has been serving a term of life imprisonment. 46. But while the Russian pilots were released from jail by government order, Bleach is still in prison and has challenged his imprisonment in court. 47. Defence sources said a Russian pilot and Russian technician were on board the helicopter, which was carrying a total of eight people. 48. The Russian pilot may have miscalculated the distance as he came in to land, the officials said. 49. The two Russian pilots are being tried over the incident. 50. The Sukhois, one of the most advanced fighter planes, would be test flown by Russian pilots within six to eight weeks, the news agency said. |