IAF plane crashes near Budgam in J-K, pilot ejects safely

Mangalore Today News Network

Kashmir, Aug 24, 2015: An Indian Airforce MiG -21 Bison aircraft crashed around 11 am in the Saibaugh area of central Kashmir on Monday while on a routine training sortie after taking off from Srinagar.

The aircraft crashed in the paddy fields and the pilots, who had ejected safely, were later rescued during a search operation by an army helicopter. According to the people residing nearby, since the aircraft crashed between trees, and not on houses, no one was killed.

Authorities said the aircraft developed some snag in the air.

"A MiG-21 of 51 Squardon of Indian Air Force crashed in Soibugh area of Budgam district at around 10.59 am but there was no loss of life reported in the incident," a defence spokesperson said.

"The pilot and co-pilot managed to escape in time,’’ he added.

An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the spokesperson added.

Several cases of fighter aircraft crashes due to technical snags and outdated parts in recent times have raised concerns about the safety of pilots handling it. In May, a Sukhoi-30 crashed in Assam’s Nagaon district even as both pilots ejected safely.

 

Courtesy: Hindustantimes.com