IAF's MiG-21 Jet crashes into a house in Rajasthan, 3 dead, pilot safe

The pilot managed to jump from the aircraft using a parachute. He has sustained minor injuries.

The aircraft took from Suratgarh on a routine training sortie in the morning. The jet crashed shortly after taking off from Suratgarh air base. A probe into the incident has been ordered.

According to an official statement issued by the IAF the MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed in morning at about 9:45 am. "The aircraft had got airborne for a routine operational training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh," it said.

The statement stated, "Soon thereafter, the pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection, sustaining minor injuries in the process. The pilot was recovered from about 25 kilometres North East of Suratgarh base."

It said, "The aircraft wreckage fell on a house in Bahlol Nagar in Hanumangarh district, unfortunately leading to the loss of three lives. The IAF regrets the loss of lives and offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident."

The IAF has put up a tweet which reads,"A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries.

"An inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident."