9 years ago
An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 plane with 29 people on board is missing after it took off from Chennai towards Port Blair on Friday morning.
Search operations for the missing plane will carry on through the night, Air Force tells NDTV.
Missing IAF aircraft: TN Coastal security Group has deployed 12 fast moving interceptors from Chennai to Rameshwaram region for search ops
- ANI (@ANI_news) 22 July 2016
All efforts are being made to trace the missing AN 32 transport plane of IAF and the service personnel on board: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
The AN-32 aircraft had reported the following snags recently
July 14 - Pressure leak port door
July 7 - Hydraulic Leak port wing root
July2 - Throttle movement sluggish
Praying for the pax & crew of the IAF An32 missing around Port Blair. Hope all remain safe and return unharmed, fingers crossed!
- sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 22, 2016
One Submarine Diverted
One submarine tasked to check for underwater transmission from emergency beacon locator
One submarine tasked to check for underwater transmission from emergency beacon locator
Indian Air Force AN-32 Transport Aircraft Missing
1 from Air Force
2 from Army
1 from Navy
8 civilians (family members)
1 from Coast Guard
1 from Air Force
2 from Army
1 from Navy
8 civilians (family members)
1 from Coast Guard
IAF chief briefs Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the missing aircraft
About AN-32 aircraft
There are more than 100 Russian-made AN-32s in service with the IAF. It is an aircraft that can fly for up to four hours without refueling and operate in all weather conditions.
"These aircraft are very strong, they are used as supply planes for mountains and deserts," said retired Air Force officer Praful Bakshi.
There are more than 100 Russian-made AN-32s in service with the IAF. It is an aircraft that can fly for up to four hours without refueling and operate in all weather conditions.
"These aircraft are very strong, they are used as supply planes for mountains and deserts," said retired Air Force officer Praful Bakshi.
"The weather in that area could be bad. The South West monsoon is very effective and it is most difficult to negotiate in such weather conditions," said former Air Chief AK Singh.
What we know so far
1) The AN-32 aircraft took off from Chennai's Tamabram air base at 8.30 am and was flying to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was to have landed at about 11.30 am.
2) According to official, last contact was made with the aircraft, a "courier flight", 16 minutes after take-off.
3) A massive search operation has been launched by the Air Force, Navy and the Coast Guard.
4) A surveillance aircraft and Dornier have also been sent out.
5) The plane has an emergency beacon locator, which usually gets activated if the aircraft crashes.
1) The AN-32 aircraft took off from Chennai's Tamabram air base at 8.30 am and was flying to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was to have landed at about 11.30 am.
2) According to official, last contact was made with the aircraft, a "courier flight", 16 minutes after take-off.
3) A massive search operation has been launched by the Air Force, Navy and the Coast Guard.
4) A surveillance aircraft and Dornier have also been sent out.
5) The plane has an emergency beacon locator, which usually gets activated if the aircraft crashes.
Officials said the missing AN-32 was "courier flight" with six crew members on board.
IAF plane AN-32 got airborne at 8:30am in morn, was expected to reach Port Blair by 11:30,29 ppl were onboard-Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee
- ANI (@ANI_news) 22 July 2016
Navy ships casting off for emergency search operations
Last contact with Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft was at 8:46 am, flight level was at 23,000ft, total distance 1,375 km
@SpokespersonMoD 4 ships deployed in Bay of Bengal diverted for SAR Kuthar Karmukh Gharial & Jyoti + 2 each P8I& DO pic.twitter.com/vZqtCgOgEh
- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) 22 July 2016
HIGHLIGHTS
Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft missing with 29 on board
Navy aircraft, 4 ships sent for search ops at Bay of Bengal
AN-32 plane took off from near Chennai, was heading to Port Blair
Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft missing with 29 on board
Navy aircraft, 4 ships sent for search ops at Bay of Bengal
AN-32 plane took off from near Chennai, was heading to Port Blair
IAF plane AN-32 got airborne at 8:30am in morn, was expected to reach Port Blair by 11:30,29 people were onboard: Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee
Search operation on for Indian Air Force's AN-32 in Bay of Bengal. The Indian Air force plane went missing after taking off from Kolkata this morning.
