The air chief marshal recalled that after last year's accidents, several measures were taken such as touring around stations, concentration on certain areas to reduce servicing and human errors.
With the IAF suffering two MiG crashes last week, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik today said it was a matter of grave concern for the nation, and a cause for "pain" for the Air Force.
"We have had accidents. It is a matter of grave concern to the public as well. For us, it is not only a concern, but it pains as well. Aircraft has been lost and a life is lost," Naik told reporters here.
He recalled that after last year's accidents, several measures were taken such as touring around stations, concentration on certain areas to reduce servicing and human errors.
"Accidents are bound to happen. Nobody has ever had zero accidents. We, as an organisation, must ensure that the operational efficiency is not degraded, the morale is not degraded. We have taken certain steps and we are taking certain steps to ensure that these do not have a long term effect," he added.
Naik said in the February 16 MiG-27 crash, the initial findings suggested that it was a failure of "low pressure turbine blades" that was not in the realm of day-to-day base servicing, but in the fourth line, overhaul stage.
In the second incident involving a MiG-21 on February 18, the mishap occurred during to "engine surge" following which the pilot ejected, which was the correct decision to take in such situations, he added.
"Though some of our aircraft are old, when the aircraft is airborne, it is a matter of pride for the technicians and the whole organisation that it is fully serviceable," Naik said.
In the MiG-27 crash near Hashimara in West Bengal, Wing Commander Oswald was killed, whereas in the MiG-21 crash near Bagdogra, again in West Bengal, the pilot, Squadron Leader Rahul Tiwari, ejected out to safety.
These were the first two air crashes recorded by the IAF this year. In 2009, the IAF had recorded 11 crashes, including
a couple of MiG-27s and five MiG-21s.
Asked about upgrade programmes for some of the aircraft in IAF's inventory, the chief said the talks for upgrade of Mirage-2000s were in progress over final price of the project, while in the case of MiG-29, the project was in the pipeline.
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