An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet crashed in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. The incident occurred during a routine night training mission and was attributed to a critical technical snag.
The MiG-29, part of the IAF’s 47th Squadron, was conducting its sortie when it encountered the malfunction.
Fortunately, the pilot managed to eject safely before the aircraft hit the ground. There were no reports of any loss of life or damage to civilian property.
According to reports from the scene, the jet burst into flames upon impact in a field near Uttarlai, an area devoid of population.
Local authorities, including the Barmer District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, rushed to the crash site. However, the remote location of the crash posed challenges for emergency services, with fire tenders struggling to reach the site due to the lack of access roads.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident through a statement on X, detailing that the pilot ejected due to the technical snag and is safe. “During a routine night training mission in the Barmer sector, an IAF MiG-29 encountered a critical technical snag, forcing the pilot to eject. The pilot is safe, and no loss of life or property was reported,” the statement read.
Following the crash, a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.
This incident has reignited discussions on the reliability of aging MiG fleets within the IAF, with this not being the first mishap involving these aircraft. Despite upgrades, questions about the continued use of these jets in active service persist, especially in light of safety concerns for pilots and the potential risks to civilian areas.