A Mi-2 helicopter crashed during an aerial competition near the Ukrainian eastern city of Kharkov, injuring two pilots, the State Service for Emergencies said on Friday in a statement.

The accident occurred at about 6 p.m. local time (GMT 1600) Thursday during the Open Ukrainian Helicopter Sports Championship on the Korotych airfield, when the helicopter was performing a demonstration flight, the statement said.

The injured pilots, aged 54 and 27 respectively, were sent to the hospital with bruises and fractures. There have been no reports of the casualties on the ground.

The National Police department in Kharkov region said that the crash could have been caused by a technical fault. Further investigation into the accident is underway

source : xinhua