Update: IAF confirms pilot's death
The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the tragic death of the pilot, Wing Commander Harshit Sinha, in the MiG-21 crash in Rajasthan.
With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart," IAF said in a tweet.
An MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Sudasiri village near the Indo-Pak border Jaisalmer on Friday evening. Jaisalmer SP Ajay Singh said the plane crashed in the Desert National Park area, which falls under the Sam police station jurisdiction, PTI reported. This is the fifth crash this year alone, including one in January, March, May and August each.
The SP also said that the local police rushed to the spot and the pilot of the ill-fated IAF aircraft was missing. Search operations were launched. It was later revealed that the pilot was killed in the tragic incident and the body was recovered. A probe has been ordered.
"This evening, around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. Further details are awaited. An inquiry is being ordered," IAF said about the incident.
MiG aircraft... "Fliying coffin"
The MiG-21 crashes have been shockingly common. For the frequent crashes, the aircraft has earned the label of "flying coffin." According to reports, as many as 482 MiG aircraft have been crashed between 1971 to 2012, killing 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel and one aircrew. The government had said in 2012 that these accidents were a result of both human error and technical defects.
