Last night, a military pilot was killed after an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in the northern state of Punjab, the Indian Air Force announced on Friday.
An Indian Air Force official said that the accident took place at around 2 a.m., local time, near the Punjab's western sector. The pilot, Sqn. Ldr. Abhinav Chaoudhary, who reportedly ejected, nonetheless sustained fatal injuries.
There was an aircraft accident last night involving a Bison aircraft of IAF in the western sector. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Abhinav Choudhary, sustained fatal injuries. IAF condoles the tragic loss and stands firmly with the bereaved family.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 21, 2021
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the Indian Air Force said.
MiG-21 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed at village Langeana in Baghapurana sub-division of Moga, Punjab. Third accidents involving MiG-21 this year. pic.twitter.com/cPe3FJfSOZ
— Rishikesh Kumar (@rishhikesh) May 21, 2021
This year, three single engine MiG-21s of the Indian Air Force crashed in different sectors.
The Indian Air Force received its first MiG-21 in 1963, and progressively inducted 874 variants of the Soviet-built supersonic fighters to bolster its combat potential.
The Indian Defence Ministry plans to phase out the remaining four squadrons of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft - a squadron has 16 to 18 fighter jets - in the next three to four years.
