Damage caused by a Polish MiG-29 fighter breaking the sound barrier at low altitude

@DefAviation ES 6·30·2024 · 22:17 0

Supersonic planes are famous for the sonic booms they cause when they overcome the so-called sound barrier..

The Polish Air Force has already completed its fleet of new FA-50GF Golden Eagle fighters
The Polish Air Force receives and evaluates its first FA-50 fighters, the replacement for the MiG-29

This boom is caused by exceeding Mach 1, that is, about 1,224 kilometers per hour (or 760 miles per hour) with an ambient temperature of 15ºC at sea level. The sound of a sonic boom is similar to that of an explosion and if it occurs at low altitude over populated areas, it can cause damage to homes and even people, leading to hearing loss.

The Polish Air Force has several supersonic aircraft in service. One of them is the Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter, of Soviet origin. Poland purchased these aircraft from the USSR in the final moments of the Polish communist dictatorship: 12 MiG-29s were delivered to the Polish Air Force between 1989 and 1990 (9 single-seat MiG-29A and 3 two-seat MiG-29A). 29UB). Furthermore, in 2004 Poland purchased another 22 MiG-29s from Germany, which had belonged to the defunct East German Air Force. These aircraft were assigned to the 41st Aviation Squadron of the Malbork 22nd Tactical Air Base and the 1st Aviation Squadron of the Mińsk Mazowiecki 23rd Tactical Air Base.

Following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland delivered 10 MiG-29s to the Ukrainian Air Force. The Polish Air Force still has 19 MiG-29 (13 MiG-29A and 6 MiG-29UB) active, based in Malbork and which are in the process of being replaced by KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle light fighters.

On June 20, the General Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported on an incident that occurred in Szaleniec, in the Malbork region, in the north of that country, that same day: "Before 10:00 a.m., during a training flight in a MiG-29 aircraft from the 22nd Tactical Air Base, the speed of sound was exceeded while flying at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet" (304 meters).

The statement added: "As a result of the impact of the sound wave, the roofs of several buildings were damaged. In accordance with the applicable procedures, the Malbork Military Police Station and the State Commission of Aviation Accident Investigation carry out other activities." The General Command of the Armed Forces added: "We would also like to inform you that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland will cover all costs related to the repair of damaged buildings, taking maximum care to restore the state before the incident."

The Polish channel TVN24 has noted: "Residents of Szaleniec say they did not see the fighter fly, but when they were at home they heard a loud bang. The windows of one of the houses were broken and the roofs of several houses They were damaged. They emphasize that it is the first time that such a situation has occurred, although military planes frequently fly over the town. Nearby is the 22nd Malbork tactical air base." The spokesperson for this base indicated that exercises were being carried out in the area and that the plane would be inspected after the incident.

Fortunately, no personal injuries have been reported as a result of this incident. On the day of the incident, the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Stare Pole, in the Malbork region, published this series of photos showing the roofs of several houses damaged due to the sonic boom generated by that MiG-29 when exceeding Mach 1:

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Main photo: Hesja. An archive photo of a Polish Air Force MiG-29.