MiG-21 Bison aircraft crashes in Gujarat, pilot ejects safely

A MiG 21 Bison air craft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near the Naliya air base in Gujarat during a routine sortie today.

The fighter plane crash-landed 30 kilometres from the air base in an open forest area, officials said.

The pilot safely ejected; he is a Wing Commander rank officer, reports say. He received minor injuries and was admitted to the Bhuj Military Hospital, IAF officials said.

There have been no injuries on the ground.

According to eye witness and range forest officer Atul Dave, there was no fire in the plane when the Bison came down.

The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the crash, officials said.

The last MiG to crash was in December last year.

This is the second air craft post April 2012. On August 30, nine Air Force personnel, including five officers, on board two MI-17 helicopters were killed when the choppers collided mid-air shortly after takeoff from an air base near Jamnagar city of the district.


Source: New Delhi – NDTV, Edited by Abhinav Bhatt - November 24, 2012

Photo: The Indian Air Force (IAF) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 21 Bison Jet Aircraft (Photo by IAF)


(13.12.2012)