An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft crashed in a field near Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday. Both pilots ejected safely and were airlifted to Gwalior by a helicopter.
No casualties have been reported so far. The crashed aircraft was an IAF Mirage 2000 fighter jet.
IAF’s Response
Shortly after the crash, the IAF confirmed that the Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie. The crash took place after the aircraft experienced a “system malfunction”.
“A Mirage 2000 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Shivpuri (Gwalior), during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. Both the pilots ejected safely,” the IAF post said.The IAF further stated that they initiated an enquiry to determine the cause of the crash.
The twin-seater trainer aircraft caught fire after crashing in an agriculture field near Barheta Sani village at around 2.40 pm, said the Central Air Command spokesperson, adding a snag led to the accident.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he added.
