Representative image of a MiG-21 aircraft.
New Delhi:
A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan this evening, killing the pilot, Wing Commander Harshit Sinha.
Confirming the news, the Air Force’s official handle tweeted, “Today at around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF during a training flight met with a flight accident in the western sector. Further Details are awaited. An inquiry is being ordered.”
A MiG-21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force during a training flight met with a flight accident in the Western Sector at around 8.30 pm today. Further details are awaited.
An inquiry is being ordered.– Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 24, 2021
Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh told news agency PTI that the plane crashed in the Desert National Park area under Sam police station. The SP said that the local police reached the spot and he too was on his way to the accident spot.
The Air Force tweeted confirming the death of the pilot. “With deep sadness, the Indian Air Force conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in a flight accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of Bahadur,” the tweet read.
The Indian Air Force informs with deep sorrow of the tragic demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in a flight accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of Bahadur.
– Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 24, 2021
Several MiG-21 crashes have been reported this year alone. The plane has been dubbed the “flying coffin” because it regularly makes news for accidents. The government told Parliament in May 2012 that from 1971 to April 2012, 482 MiGs had been involved in crashes, killing 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel and one aircrew. and technical faults,” the government had said.
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