A near disaster was averted today as a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crash-landed near Nashik, Maharashtra. Both the pilot and co-pilot ejected safely before the aircraft slammed into the ground.
The incident unfolded during a routine sortie in the designated flying area near Ozar (Nashik) Airport. Reports indicate the aircraft was a production model from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) undergoing final testing before delivery. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to get to the bottom of the mishap.
IAF का Su-30 MKI लड़ाकू विमान आज नासिक जिले में दुर्घटनाग्रस्त हो गया। दोनों पायलट बाहर निकलने में कामयाब रहे और सुरक्षित हैं: रक्षा अधिकारी#sukhoi #iaf @IAF_MCC @DefenceMinIndia #fighterjet #crash #400Paar #लोकसभा_आमचुनाव_2024 #Sukhoi #Shirajgaon #Nashik #FighterJetCrashed pic.twitter.com/vDFGSvt4P4
— Satvik Upadhyay (@UpadhyaySatvik) June 4, 2024
“There were no casualties,” confirmed local police officials. They added that both pilots skillfully ejected before impact, highlighting the effectiveness of the Sukhoi’s emergency ejection system and their own training in handling critical situations.
This isn’t the first time a Sukhoi has faced trouble. In a similar incident near Nashik in 2018, another Sukhoi-30 MKI being tested by HAL crash-landed, with the pilots again ejecting safely.
The IAF prioritizes pilot safety through rigorous training procedures. The successful ejection of the pilots in today’s incident is a testament to these efforts. A thorough investigation will now be conducted to ensure the continued airworthiness of the IAF’s fleet and prevent future occurrences.
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