Assam: Five Killed, Co-Pilot Injured as IAF Aircraft Crashes in Jorhat
The Antonov An-32 aircraft crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Jorhat's Rowriah Air Force Station after reportedly developing a technical fault during a training mission.
JORHAT- Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed on Saturday morning when an Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed during an emergency landing attempt at the Rowriah Air Force Station.
The twin-engine tactical transport aircraft, belonging to the IAF’s 43 Squadron, was conducting a routine paradrop training sortie when it encountered a severe technical glitch shortly after takeoff .
The Incident
According to military officials, the aircraft log recorded a critical emergency at approximately 10:00 AM, prompting the pilots to turn back to the base.. Witnesses reported that the plane overshot the runway during its landing sequence, broke into two pieces upon impact, and immediately burst into flames.
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Airbase firefighting teams and emergency medical units rushed to the crash site to contain the blaze. While five personnel died at the scene, the co-pilot survived the impact and was pulled from the wreckage with severe injuries. He is currently undergoing emergency medical treatment at a military hospital.
Casualties Identified
The IAF has released the names of the five air warriors who lost their lives in the line of duty [theprint.in]:
- Squadron Leader Prashant Singh
- Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar
- Sergeant Jitendra Sharma
- Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat
- Agniveervayu Danish Alam
Court of Inquiry Ordered
The Indian Air Force has ordered a high-level Court of Inquiry to investigate the exact cause of the crash [thehindu.com]. Investigators will focus on potential mechanical failure, structural fatigue, or engine malfunction during the flight’s critical return phase.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased personnel, stating that the nation stands firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.
The tragedy has renewed discussions within the defense sector regarding the modernization timeline for the Soviet-era An-32 fleet, which serves as the logistical backbone for troop and supply movements across the rugged terrain of Northeast India.
