Sukhoi-30, Mirage 2000 aircraft crash in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, 1 pilot dead

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft -- Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 -- have crashed near Morena in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning. The two aircraft had taken off from the Gwalior air base in MP where an exercise was going on. Search and rescue operations are underway.

The aircraft were on a routine operational flying training mission. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident, IAF said. The Su-30 had 2 pilots while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash. One of the 3 pilots lost his life in the accident. 

Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission.
One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2023

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Adarsh Katiyar told PTI that the cause of the crash is not clear yet. "It is not clear whether the planes collided against each other or not," he said.

WATCH  Wreckage seen. A Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed near Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Search and rescue operations launched. The two aircraft had taken off from the Gwalior air base where an exercise was going on. pic.twitter.com/xqCJ2autOe

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2023

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been briefed by IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on the crash of two IAF aircraft. Singh enquired about the well-being of pilots and is monitoring the developments closely, sources said. Further details are awaited.

READ | Jharkhand: Five killed in fire accident at residential complex of Dhanbad hospital