Bhind: A Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today in the Bhind area of Madhya Pradesh. The pilot and the co-pilot reportedly ejected to safety.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra and Wing Commander Ram Kumar were flying the jet when it crashed in Gorelalkapura village, about 100 kms from Gwalior.
The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed five minutes after take-off while it was still climbing, when it developed a snag in the engine, an IAF spokesperson said in Delhi.
Air Marshal Chopra is one of the senior most officers to be involved in a crash. He is the Commodore Commandant of 1 Squadron and was on an official visit to Gwalior.
The last time an Air Marshal was involved in an emergency was in 2002 when Air Marshal V K Bhatia, on an inaugural flight to Kargil, flew his AN-32 across the Line of Control and was fired upon by Pakistan. He, however, escaped unhurt.
Interestingly, he was also fired upon by Indian gunners when he crossed back into India, but he managed to land unharmed in Leh.
The IAF has reportedly ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the reasons behind the crash.
The Air Force operates a fleet of 51 Mirage aircraft from the Maharajpura air base in Gwalior.
(With inputs from Press Trust of India)
Air Marshal Anil Chopra and Wing Commander Ram Kumar were flying the jet when it crashed in Gorelalkapura village, about 100 kms from Gwalior.
The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed five minutes after take-off while it was still climbing, when it developed a snag in the engine, an IAF spokesperson said in Delhi.
The last time an Air Marshal was involved in an emergency was in 2002 when Air Marshal V K Bhatia, on an inaugural flight to Kargil, flew his AN-32 across the Line of Control and was fired upon by Pakistan. He, however, escaped unhurt.
Advertisement
The IAF has reportedly ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the reasons behind the crash.
Advertisement
(With inputs from Press Trust of India)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
2 Siblings Drown In Water-Filled Pit In Madhya Pradesh: Police Police Outpost Ransacked In Madhya Pradesh After Fight Between 2 Groups Man Stabs Girl, 17, To Death In Public After She Refuses To Talk To Him Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Shooter Had Trump's Face Right In Middle Of Crosshairs, Shows New Video Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.