MiG-21 crashes near Jamnagar, pilot safe

Jamnagar(Guj), January 31

A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Bed village in Jamnagar district today while the pilot managed to eject safely, the police said.

“A MiG-21 crashed at Rasoolnagar area near Bed village, 20 km from Jamangar city,” district superintendent of police Neeraj Badgujar told PTI.

IAF officials said the pilot managed to eject safely during the accident which occurred around 2 PM.

They said the aircraft was on a range firing sortie and while operating, "a flash was seen on the wing which resulted in fire". The pilot ejected immediately. The pilot, who landed in a tide-pool created by the sea water near the spot, was later rescued by an IAF chopper.

The pilot, who sustained injuries, was later rescued by an IAF chopper, Badgujar said, adding police and fire brigade officials had reached the spot. No IAF officials were immediately available for comment.

In 2012, two IAF choppers had collided and crashed near the same spot between Bed and Samrath villages and nine personnels had been killed.

A MiG-27 fighter aircraft crashed last Tuesday in Rajasthan’s Barmer district. — PTI