MiG-21 fighter jet
Suratgarh: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today morning at about 0945 hours, the Ministry of Defence stated. While the pilot escaped with minor injuries, the aircraft wreckage fell on a house in Bahlol Nagar in Hanumangarh District, leading to the loss of three lives. The IAF stated it regrets the loss of lives and offered its “deepest” condolences to the bereaved families.
The MiG-21 aircraft had got airborne for a routine operational training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh. Soon thereafter, the pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection, sustaining minor injuries in the process.
The pilot was recovered from about 25 kilometres North East of the Suratgarh air base.
A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, the Ministry of Defence stated in New Delhi.
– global bihari bureau
