Mirage 2000 and Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed on Saturday while conducting aerial exercises near Morena in Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the crash of both the aircraft. The two Sukhoi Su-30 pilots were able to make an emergency exit, however, the pilot of the Mirage 2000 died after suffering critical injuries.
The deceased pilot has been identified as Wing Commander Hanumant Rao Sarathi (flying Mirage 2000). Two other pilots (flying a Sukhoi Su-30) were later flown by an IAF helicopter for medical treatment in Gwalior. In its statement, the IAF said it has set up a “court of enquiry” which will establish whether the mid-air collision between the two fighter jets took place or not”.
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Officials also confirmed that two IAF fighter jets crashed in Manpur village in Pahargarh forest area of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior-Chambal region, while a major chunk of the Sukhoi aircraft was shattered in Pingora area near Bharatpur district. Gone. Rajasthan Rajasthan.
Indian Air Force regrets to inform that Wing Commander Hanumantha Rao Sarathi was fatally injured during the accident. All air warriors and fraternity stand firmly with the bereaved family. – Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2023
According to Morena District Collector Ankit Asthana, both the jets reportedly collided in the area of Morena district, but since the pilots’ ejection happened at a much higher altitude than the Sukhoi aircraft, both the pilots landed safely in Morena district, while the aircraft took off Forests of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.
The Indian Air Force, in an official communication, later said that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the crash of two aircraft on a routine sortie on Saturday morning from the Indian Air Force’s Maharajpura air base in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district. Is. operational flight training missions.
“Two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force were involved in an accident near Gwalior. The aircraft were on routine operational flight training mission. One of the three pilots suffered fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident Both the Su-30MKI pilots are safe,” the IAF said in an official statement.
Sources in the Morena district administration told IANS that a team of forensic experts from the Indian Air Force has reached the spot, about 90 km from the Morena district headquarters, and has started investigation.
In shock over the death of the IAF pilot, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the death of the brave air warrior, Wing Commander Hanumant Rao Sarathi, who was fatally injured during an accident near Gwalior. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family.” We stand by his family during this difficult time.”
Morena police received a call around 10.15 a.m. from the villagers of Kailaras area that the tail portion of an aircraft caught fire following a loud noise in the air, following which the police in the entire area were alerted about a possible accident.
The sarpanch of the village where the incident took place, Shailendra Shakya, told IANS: “People were shocked to hear a loud noise and smoke coming out of something that fell on the ground, which later turned out to be the tail of an aircraft.” While one of the aircraft that caught fire in the rear was seen falling in the forests of Pahargarh, the other aircraft headed towards the territory of neighboring Rajasthan. Many villagers started running in that direction. We also saw two pilots coming down by parachute. After 15-20 minutes we saw them on the ground in a safe condition.”
With IANS inputs