MiG-21 trainer aircraft crash: Two IAF pilots were killed in a MiG-21 accident near Barmer
In Rajasthan’s Barmer region, a twin-seater MiG-21 trainer aircraft crash on Thursday night claimed the lives of two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots. The plane had just taken off from Utarlai’s air base. It happened at approximately 9:10 o’clock.
The IAF verified the development. “Near Barmer, the aircraft had an accident at about 9:10 p.m. Injury to both pilots resulted in death. The IAF sincerely regrets the loss of lives and stands strongly with the bereaved families,” it stated.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s MiG-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.” Following the tragic tragedy, Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, expressed his condolences to the deceased families. Following the tragedy, the minister also spoke with Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari.
A court of inquiry has been established by the IAF to determine what caused the crash. The two pilots’ names have not yet been released by the IAF. Since being introduced in the early 1960s, the ageing fleet of MiG-21 aircraft of Soviet origin has been involved in almost 200 accidents. For a while, the MiG-21s served as the IAF’s backbone.
According to Ajay Bhat, Minister of State for Defense, 42 members of the armed forces have perished in aircraft and helicopter accidents over the previous five years. In that time, there have been 45 mishaps, of which 29 involved the IAF.
