IAF loses another MIG-21 as fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan
- By Web Desk -
- Mar 08, 2019
Yet another tragedy for Indian Air Force (IAF) as one of its MiG-21 fighter jet on Friday crashed in Rajasthan’s Bikaner during a routine mission.
According to Indian media reports, the plane that took off from Nal near Bikaner crashed after being hit by a bird, whereas the pilot ejected himself safely.
The spokesperson of the Indian defence ministry said in his tweet, “Today afternoon a MiG-21 aircraft on a routine mission crashed after getting airborne from Nal near Bikaner”.
“Pilot of the aircraft ejected safely. Initial inputs suggest a bird hit. CoI will be investigating the cause of the accident”, he continued.
Today afternoon a MiG-21 aircraft on a routine mission crashed after getting airborne from Nal near Bikaner. Pilot of the aircraft ejected safely. Initial inputs suggest a bird hit. CoI will be investigating the cause of the accident.@PMOIndia @nsitharaman @PIB_India @IAF_MCC
— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 8, 2019
India has lost at least 8 war planes in the past one month, two of them were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in a recent engagement and a pilot Abhinandan was also taken into the custody.
Read more: India sacks Air Marshal after heavy losses by PAF
On February 27, former Indian air force (IAF)’s official Ram Parkash had confirmed that India had lost two MiG 21 jets and three of its pilots.
“We have lost our two jets and three pilots,” Parkash wrote in his tweet.
He further said in his tweet that the morale of the IAF was down and out after the heavy loss.