MiG 21 crashes near Gwalior, pilots safe

MiG 21 crashes near Gwalior, pilots safe

Gwalior: The site where an MiG 21 fighter aircraft crashed near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh after taking off from the airfield on a training sortie, on Sep 25, 2019. There were no casualties in the incident, said the Indian Air Force (IAF). (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on Wednesday to enquire about the reasons behind the MiG 21 crash that took place near Gwalior on Wednesday.

Singh also enquired about the condition of the two pilots on board the ill-fated aircraft who managed to eject successfully from the cockpit.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) official said a court of inquiry has been instituted to ascertain the reason behind the crash.

"Both pilots, a Squadron Leader and a Group Captain, ejected safely and were picked up by a rescue helicopter. The aircraft was a Type-69 twin-seated trainer aircraft," said an IAF official.

The aircraft crashed approximately at 10 a.m. It was on a routine training mission and had taken off from the Air Force Station in Gwalior on Wednesday morning. The crash took place at an approximate distance of six nautical miles while the aircraft was on approach for landing.

--IANS

akd/kr