Excelsior Correspondent
-Excelsior/Amin War
SRINAGAR, Aug 24: An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft, MIG-21, also known as flying coffins for their frequent mishaps, crashed this morning in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. However, pilot ejected safely.
The fighter aircraft MIG-21 of 51 Squadron crashed in the paddy fields of Soibugh, Budgam at around 11 am during a training sortie. The aircraft was completely damaged in the crash as it caught fire, while the pilot ejected safely some kilometer away from the crash site. He landed at village Dharmuna in paddy fields and was rescued by locals before he was winched by a helicopter.
The pilot sustained minor injuries and has been hospitalized. He has been identified as Flight Lt Manoj Kumar.
Soon after the incident, hundreds of curious villagers including a sizable number of school children thronged the crash site.
A number of trees were uprooted and burnt down by the impact of the crash. The residents of Soibugh had narrow escape as it crashed outside the village and orchards and Poplar trees prevented it crashing on the houses.
“Had not the aircraft stuck in the trees, it would have hit some of the residential houses and the nearby school. It is not only that the pilot had the miraculous escape, villagers and students also,” residents said.
Army along with police reached the site of the crash, to search the black box. The Army and police have cordoned off the area and the investigators are looking for parts of airport which will help them.
Meanwhile, IAF has initiated an enquiry to ascertain the cause of crash.
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