MiG-27 aircraft crashes near Jodhpur, pilot safe

A MiG-27 fighter plane of the IAF today crashed near Jodhpur in Rajasthan shortly after take off for a routine sortie, but the pilot bailed out safely.

The crash occurred at 1.20pm, 15 minutes after the aircraft took off from Jodhpur air base. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant A Patni, who is safe, had reported trouble in the aircraft, a defence official said, adding there is no damage on the ground.

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the mishap. "The crash took place about 60km away from Jodhpur," defence spokesperson Lt Col NN Joshi said.

Police said there was no report of any loss of life or damage in the incident.

"There is no report of any loss of life on the ground in the crash which took place in Mandawas village," BL Meena, superintendent of police of Pali district, which is near the crash site, said.

"The pilot has been located and is safe," the SP said.

The MiG-27 crash comes just a couple of days after a Cheetah helicopter of the IAF crash landed near the Siachen Glacier base camp.