MiG-29 Fighter Jet Crashes Near Agra During Training Sortie; Pilot Ejects Safely
MiG-29 Fighter Jet Crashes Near Agra During Training Sortie; Pilot Ejects Safely
A MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed into a field near Agra, Uttar Pradesh, during a routine training sortie, officials confirmed. The incident occurred following a technical malfunction mid-flight, but the pilot managed to eject safely before the jet hit the ground and caught fire.
A MiG-29 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Agra during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot manoeuvered the aircraft to ensure no damage to life or property on ground, before ejecting safely.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 4, 2024
An enquiry has been ordered by the IAF,…
The aircraft had taken off from the Adampur base in Punjab, headed to Agra as part of a scheduled exercise. When the system malfunction became apparent, the pilot ensured that the jet was clear of populated areas before ejecting, thus avoiding damage to life or property on the ground. Smoke was seen rising from the crash site as locals gathered nearby.
In response to the accident, the IAF has launched a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash. The incident marks the second MiG-29 accident in recent months; on September 2, a similar MiG-29 jet crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan, also due to a technical issue, with the pilot ejecting to safety.
Further details on the Agra incident are awaited as the investigation progresses.
