Soldier from Army’s Golden Knights parachute team killed in plane crash
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A member of the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team was one of four people killed Saturday in a small plane crash in Swainsboro, Georgia, officials said.
Staff Sgt. Aliaksandr “Alex” Bahrytsevich, 31, most recently served as a demonstrator on the Golden Knights Black Demonstration Team, the team announced on its Facebook page.
“Alex was extremely passionate about the sport of skydiving and always sought opportunities to coach and mentor other members of the team,” the Golden Knights said in the Facebook post. “Originally from Belarus, Alex served the U.S. Army with distinction and pride.”
In all, four people were killed and another was seriously injured when the small plane crashed after takeoff at the East Georgia Regional Airport, the Associated Press reported.
Bahrytsevich was off duty at the time of the crash.
Category: Military issues
Tragic. RIP SSG Bahrytsevich.
R.I.P.
Sad, very sad. Too young. Rest in Peace.
Tragic and sad, 1st rate looking Trooper. That is right down the road from me, details are still sketchy. Peace be unto their families.
R.I.P. SSG.
War Story (feelgood) Alert:
I had two “bookend” experiences with Army Golden Knights. Many years ago I began civilian skydiving while still on active duty, but I only had a few months left to my ETS date. On the day of my ETS I had a few dozen jumps under my belt and after departing base as a civilian on a weekday, I stopped by the DZ a few hours away as a brand new civilian headed back to my home state. The only jumpers there were a 4-man team of Golden Knights practicing so I got to share the plane with them for several jumps. What a treat for a newbie skydiver / former soldier. They gave me some all in fun shit too for ETS’ing.
Then a little over a year ago at an air show, the Golden Knights did a demo and selected children from the crowd to help them repack their main. My daughter got to help a SSG and she felt like a hero with the way he treated her.
Fair winds and following seas, SSG Bahrytsevich.
Rest in Peace.
I suspect this investigation won’t take long. – A 182A with five on board.
– Hot temperatures and high humidity.
– Probably full fuel load based on the intensity of the fire.
– Low speed flat crash at the departure end of the runway.
All the ingredients of a stall, a pancake drop into the grass, cracked wing tanks and an inferno within seconds.
I hope it was over quickly.
Warrior: Thank you for your service. Fair winds and following seas
Rest well, SSG.