A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Nashik, Maharashtra on the afternoon of Jun. 4th. Fortunately, both pilots ejected safely and sustained only minor injuries.
The aircraft, recently overhauled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was on a test sortie from the HAL facility in Nashik at the time of the incident. According to a HAL official, the pilots reported a technical snag prior to the crash. A detailed investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause.
Wing Commander Bokil and his co-pilot Biswas successfully ejected from the aircraft before it crashed in a farm located in Shirasgaon village. While the pilots sustained minor injuries, they were transported to the HAL hospital for evaluation. The aircraft itself caught fire upon impact, and its wreckage is scattered across a 500-meter radius.
Teams from the Indian Air Force, HAL security, and HAL’s technical unit have arrived at the crash site to begin their investigation. While the official cause remains undetermined, initial reports suggest a technical malfunction may have been responsible.
The IAF utilizes HAL for the overhaul and testing of its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets. Following successful completion of these procedures, the aircraft are returned to the IAF for operational use.
For readers unfamiliar with the aircraft, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter jet. Developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under license by HAL, it is a mainstay of the Indian Air Force.
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