TEZPUR:
A Sukhoi-30 aircraft, India’s front line fighter plane, crashed at Laokhowa in Nagaon district of Assam following a technical snag but both the pilot and weapons systems operator ejected safely.
This is the sixth crash of the aircraft, manufactured here under licence from Russia, since 2009.
The incident happened at about 12:30 PM, 36 kms away from Tezpur.
The SU-30 aircraft had taken off from Air Force Station Tezpur on a routine mission at 12:17.
“After take off, the aircraft had developed a technical snag and the pilot was forced to abandon the aircraft. Both the pilots ejected,” the IAF said in a statement.
The ejection was safe and the aircraft crashed at 1230 hours in a thick forest near Tezpur.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the statement said.
The last crash of a Sukhoi fighter plane had taken place in October last year near Pune. The CoI report on the crash is still awaited.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had in March admitted to problems with the Sukhoi aircraft.
Parrikar said the Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer had introduced a number of measures to contain and eliminate technical issues that have led to engine troubles in flight. (AGENCIES)
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