2 IAF Jets Crash In MP's Morena, Wreckage Found In Rajasthan, 1 Pilot Dead — What We Know So Far

IAF released a statement confirming the tragic accident and said that an inquiry has been initiated to probe the cause of the Morena crash.

New Delhi: In an unfortunate incident, two India Air Force fighter jets, Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000, crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Morena on Saturday morning killing one pilot. Two other pilots have been rescued safely.

IAF released a statement confirming the tragic accident and said that an inquiry has been initiated to probe the cause of the crash. Notably, the wreckage of a plane was also found in Rajasthan's Bharatpur rising speculations on the possible involvement of the third aircraft in the accident.

However, it was found to be the remains of the crashed Sukhoi-30 fighter jet.

Here's All The Details Of The Crash

• A Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed near Madhya Pradesh's Morena on Saturday. Search and rescue operations were launched. The aircraft crashed in a forest in the Pahargarh development block of the Morena district.

 

• Administration and police rushed to the spot, the district administration sent a medical team and fire brigade to the spot.
  Defence sources said the Su-30 had two pilots while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash.

 

• Two pilots, who were rescued, were taken to Gwalior for treatment. Another one died.

 

• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is in contact with CDS Gen Anil Chauhan and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. He is gathering details on the crash from them. "Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was briefed by the Chief of Air Staff on the crash of two aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Raksha Mantri enquired about the well-being of the IAF pilots and is monitoring the developments closely," Defence Ministry sources told ANI.

 

• Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan took to Twitter and wrote, "The news of the Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft crash near Kolaras in Morena is very sad. I have directed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God for the safety of the aircraft pilots."

 

• The wreckage of a crashed aircraft was found in Rajasthan's Bharatpur on Saturday. Defence sources told ABP News that it was from the Sukhoi-30 of the Indian Air Force. 

 

• Sources said that wreckage found in Madhya Pradesh's Morena is of Mirage 2000, another jet involved in the crash.

 

• However, Morena SP later confirmed that some parts of the crashed jets were found in Rajasthan's Bharatpur. He told ANI, "Two jets -Mirage and Sukhoi- took off from Gwalior in the morning...As per IAF, one aircraft had 2 pilots, while the other had one; 2 safely rescued, body parts of the third pilot have been found. Some parts of the jet were found in Bharatpur (Raj), details being collected."

 

• Earlier, Bharatpur DSP said, "Received info about a plane crash around 10-10.15 am. After coming here, it was found it was an IAF fighter jet. Going by the debris, we're unable to adjudge if it's a fighter plane or a regular plane. Yet to know if pilots got out or are still in".

 

• Defence sources told ANI that the possible mid-air collision between the two aircraft took place when they were flying a simulated combat mission at very high speeds. More details would come out in the court of inquiry.

 

• Indian Air Force released an official statement and said, "Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission. One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident. Inquiry ordered to determine cause of accident involving two aircraft."

 

• The Sukhoi-30 MKI built by India in collaboration with Russia is considered one of the most powerful fighter jets in the world.

 

• Sukhoi 30-MKI is among the deadliest aircraft in the Air Force capable of carrying up to 12 tons of war material. This aircraft has double engines which help the pilot in case of emergency. It can fly 3,000 km at a time.


• Indian Air Force on Saturday stated that "IAF deeply regrets to inform that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family," as reported by ANI.