Three Russian bomber pilots killed by ejection system glitch

The crew of a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber was preparing for a training mission when its ejection system malfunctioned. Photo / Russian Defence Ministry via AP

Three members of a Russian bomber's air crew died when their ejection seats accidentally activated during pre-flight checks, the military said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the incident happened today at an airbase in the Kaluga region, about 145km south-west of Moscow.

It said the crew of a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber was preparing for a training mission when its ejection system malfunctioned and accidentally shot the crew out. The ministry said the altitude wasn't enough for the parachutes to open and three of the four crew members died.

Russian media reported that the victims included Colonel Vadim Beloslyudtsev, the commander of the bomber unit stationed at the Shaikovka airbase near Kaluga.

The Tu-22M3 is a supersonic twin-engine long-range bomber, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Photo / AP

Russian news reports said the fourth crew member survived the incident and was hospitalised.

An official investigation into the incident has been launched. The accidental activation of the rescue system is extremely rare, and some experts speculated that it could have been caused by an electrical malfunction or human error.

The Tu-22M3 is a supersonic twin-engine long-range bomber, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

About 60 are estimated to remain in service with the Russian air force, and some have flown bombing missions to strike militants in Syria from their bases in Russia.