New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa to enquire about the reasons behind the MiG 21 crash that took place Wednesday near Gwalior. Rajnath 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 10.00 am. It was on a routine training mission and had taken off Wednesday morning from the Air Force Station in Gwalior. The crash took place at an approximate distance of six nautical miles while the aircraft was on approach for landing. It stuttered and swayed wildly in the air for a couple of minutes before plummeting earthwards.
IANS