Sukhoi-30 crashes in Jaisalmer, pilot killed

An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter plane, Sukhoi-30 MK1, crashed in the Pokharan area of Jaisalmer district on Thursday, killing one of the two pilots. It is for the first time that a Sukhoi, which is a frontline fighter and the country’s most advanced combat aircraft, has crashed since its induction into the IAF in 1997.

According to preliminary investigations, the accident occurred due to a technical snag, IAF sources said. A court of enquiry has been ordered, IAF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel NM Joshi said.

The sources said though both the pilots bailed-out in time, Wing Commander P Narah’s parachute did not open. Wing Commander SV Munje managed to make a successful landing.

The fighter plane had taken off from the Lohegaon air base near Pune for routine practice. The pilots completed their target at Chandhana, the IAF practice range at Jaisalmer. The plane crashed on their trip back to Pune at Hariyaser village in the Rajmathai village panchayat of Pokharan sub-division. The remains of the plane scattered over a two-mile radius area. Major portion of the remains fell at Tiku Ram Ki Dhani, sources said.

There was no loss of human life as the aircraft crashed in an uninhabited area. Villagers of nearby areas rushed to the spot and doused the fire.

Air Force officers reached the spot, cordoned off the area and took the pilots to hospital where Narah was declared brought dead.