An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG 27 fighter jet crashed in a field near Jodhpur's Banad area on Tuesday (September 4). The aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash.
Both the pilot and co-pilot ejected safely.
The aircraft had taken off from the IAF's Jodhpur airbase. According to a statement issued by the IAF, the incident took place when the fighter jet was on a routine mission.
"A MiG 27 aircraft airborne from Jodhpur crashed during a routine mission today morning. Pilot ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident," Economic Times quoted defence spokesperson Colonel Sombit Ghosh as saying.
Deputy Commissioner of Jodhpur, Amandeep Singh has also asserted that no injuries have been reported.
In the photo of the crash site shows the debris of the jet, with plumes of smoke. Onlookers have gathered at the site. Fire brigades and police personnel have reached the site and are trying to put out the fire.
The area has also been cordoned off.
Other IAF plane crashes
This incident comes just a few months after another MiG-27 crashed into a house in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city. The crash took place on June 13 at around 11:30 am. The pilot ejected after the engine of the fighter jet failed and escaped a few seconds before the aircraft crashed.
#FirstVisuals MiG 27 aircraft crashes near Jodhpur. Pilot escapes unhurt. 2 houses damaged, no injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/E5pGuEnqP2
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2016
#Visuals MiG 27 aircraft crashes near Rajasthan's Jodhpur.Pilots escape unhurt.2 houses damaged,no injuries reported pic.twitter.com/ugk6PHQM4Q
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2016
That same month, an IAF pilot escaped narrowly after the Jaguar aircraft he was flying developed a snag and crashed near an air base here in Gujarat.
On July 18, an Indian Air Force's MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The pilot, Squadron Leader Meet Kumar, was killed in the crash.
MiG-21 Indian aircraft coming from Punjab's Pathankot crashes in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. Pilot is missing. Rescue team on the way. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/093Psw4HEj
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2018