Court of Inquiry has been ordered after the incident. On behalf of the Air Force, it has been said that the group is with the captain’s family.
The MiG-21 Bison aircraft of the Indian Air Force became the victim of a fatal accident while leaving for Combat Training Mission at an airbase of Central India this morning. The IAF lost Group Captain A Gupta in the accident. According to the Indian Air Force, the cause of the accident is being ascertained.
After this aircraft accident, orders have been given to the Court of Inquiry. On behalf of the Air Force, it has been said that the group is with the captain’s family. The incident took place two months after an IAF MiG-21 fighter jet crashed near Suratgarh, Rajasthan, during training due to a technical fault. In that accident, the pilot managed to pull out safely.
A MiG-21 Bison aircraft of IAF was involved in a fatal accident this morning, while taking off for a combat training mission at an airbase in central India.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 17, 2021
The IAF lost Group Captain A Gupta in the tragic accident. IAF expresses deep condolences and stands firmly with the family members. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 17, 2021
Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik said in Parliament that the Indian Air Force has lost 15 aircraft and 27 aircraft, including helicopters, in accidents since 2016. In 2016–17, six fighter jets, two helicopters, a transport aircraft and a trainer aircraft crashed. At the same time, in 2017-18, the Air Force lost two fighter aircraft and one trainer aircraft in the accident. In 2018-19, seven more fighter jets, two helicopters and two trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force were lost in the accident.