So... Apparently the ejection system works so that if either person in the plane activates it, both seats are ejected, some seconds apart from each other.

The interesting thing here is: What has actually happened?
As far as I can understand, there are two main options:

Intentional ejection
Technical defect

And both of those sound like awesome things!
If it was intentional, then it basically has been a case of someone not wanting to bomb Ukraine but also knowing they cannot defect, and considering the other orc in the plane to be so full of shit that the world is better without him. That would be a sign of a trend that will wreak havoc from within the Russian armed forces.
I would say that a pilot is not going to activate the ejection through incompetence. Not even a Russian pilot, as little trained as they are in comparison to other countries' pilots.

And if it wasn't intentional but a technical defect instead... Well, that would then mean that the Russian planes are so worn out from overuse that this kind of technical defects start taking place. That's a good way of reducing the amount of pilots directly and also reducing the motivation to both stay as a pilot and to enter a training in order to become a pilot. Remember, planes as much easier to replace than competent pilots!

[–] amorangi@lemmy.nz 34 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

It's a known defect. The elevators drop under the weight of gravity when parked up. This pushes the stick back where it can hook the ejection handle. If the elevators are raised this will push the stick forward, and so, if hooked, will activate the seats. The "fix" is they are supposed to use bungy cords to hold the elevators up when parked. What could possibly go wrong?

e: https://youtu.be/jklGQxAOoo8?t=811

[–] Blade9732@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

This is the correct answer. When I read the article, they make it seem like a su34, but later on write that it was a su24/or 34. Many Russian pilots have been injured from this specific design defect in the SU 24.

[–] Tuuktuuk@piefed.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

In the video they say that only one of the two pilots were ejected back then in 1975, so at least in those days a Su-24 would not eject both seats with one ejection command. This one did, so it probably was not a Su-24.

The video also mentions that this happened because the other joystick was made shorter than usual. Therefore, it might indeed have been a weird technical defect, but I don't think we have a good reason to assume it was the same as shown on this video, as the result was slightly different.

[–] Blade9732@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You might be right. I was pretty sure that the ejection system was changed when they added the new zero/zero Zvezda 36 seats later on. I seem to remember that the Russians tested sequential ejection and the rockets burned the other pilot when done that way, so they switched to simultaneous ejection on both th SU24 and the 34. The 34, as far as I know, does not need the helpers to keep the elevators up keeping it from interfering with the stick and catch the ejection handle. The airframe on a SU34 is based on the SU 27 and had an all new and larger cockpit section installed.

[–] Tuuktuuk@piefed.ee 1 points 2 weeks ago

Would you happen to know which Russian bomber planes have more than just one person in the crew?

[–] Burstar@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

both seats are ejected, some seconds apart from each other.

The look on the face of the second pilot as they see their compatriot yeet into the roof and realize what is about to happen to them: priceless.

[–] Tuuktuuk@piefed.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

"Blyaaaaaaaa-splort!" 🍝