An Indian Air Force airman was killed after two fighter jets– a Sukhoi Su- 30 and a Mirage 2000– crashed near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. While the two aviators on the Su- 30 sustained minor injuries, the airman on the Mirage failed after being fatally wounded in the crash. Wreckage of the crashed aircraft was set up in Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Morena in Madhya Pradesh.
One airman succumbed to his injuries after two Indian Air Force fighter spurts, a Sukhoi 30 and a Mirage 2000, crashed. While original reports suggested the possibility of a mid-air collision, there has been no sanctioned evidence. “Two fighter aircraft of the IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior this morning. The aircraft were on routine functional flight training charge,” the Indian Air Force said. “One of the three aviators involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident ”.
Meanwhile, defence sources said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari on the crash of the two aircraft. They said the defence minister is covering the developments. The IAF court of inquiry to establish whether there was a mid-air collision or not. The Su- 30 had two aviators, while Mirage 2000 had one airman during the crash. “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 aviators and is covering the developments nearly,” defence ministry sources told.