The Indian Air Force has ordered an inquiry after a pilot was killed in a MiG-21 plane crash in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Friday.
The IAF said in a tweet, “This evening, around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. Further details are awaited. An inquiry is being ordered.”
This evening, around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. Further details are awaited.
An inquiry is being ordered.— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 24, 2021
The pilot killed in action has been identified as Wing Commander Harshit Sinha.
Quoting local police, news agency PTI reported that the plane crashed in sand dunes near Sudasari. An eyewitness, who lives in a hamlet near the Desert National Park, said that he saw the plane burst into flames. He claimed the plane caught fire before hitting the ground.
Not too long ago, a military helicopter carrying 14 armed officials including former Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife had crashed in Tamil Nadu. All 14 had died in the crash.