A MiG-29K fighter aircraft of the Indian Navy crashed on Saturday a short distance from the Dabolim international airport in Goa, even as two pilots ejected to safety, an official told IANS. The plane crashed in an open field shortly after take-off. No injuries were reported.
In a statement, the Indian Navy stated that the aircraft suffered a bird hit and one of the engines on the right caught fire. The two pilots on board, Captain M Sheokhand and Lt Commander Deepak Yadav ejected safely. The incident occurred shortly after take-off.
“Mig-29 trainer aircraft was flying from ashore (Goa). During recovery, there was a bird hit and fire on right engine was observed. Both pilots ejected and are safe. Aircraft crashed in open or safe area. No casualties reported,” the statement said.
The Indian Navy along with the district administration officials are in the process of locating the wreckage near Verna plateau in South Goa district.
"During a training mission, after take off from INS HANSA at Dabolim a Mig 29k trainer aircraft suffered an engine fire. The pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav ejected safely,” a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said in a statement.
During a training mission, after take off from INS HANSA at Dabolim a Mig 29k trainer aircraft suffered an engine fire. The pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav ejected safely. @SpokespersonMoD
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 16, 2019
The Indian Navy along with the district administration officials are in the process of locating the wreckage near Verna plateau in South Goa district. Both pilots are currently being treated.
Earlier in June, the Goa airport was shut down temporarily after a naval fighter jet's fuel tank was found to be detached while taking off. This caused a fire on the runway prompting airport authorities to close the airport for a period of one-and-a-half hours.
Earlier in September, an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG aircraft crashed near Jodhpur in Rajasthan during a routine mission. Both pilot and co-pilot had ejected safely.
(With IANS inputs)