Pilot killed as air force jets crash during routine training mission

28 January 2023 , 11:44

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One pilot died following the crash involving two Indian Air Force jets (Image: WION)

A pilot has been killed after two air force jets crashed during a routine training mission.

The crash occurred near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh state, central India on Saturday morning.

Indian Air Force confirmed on Twitter that the aircraft were on a "routine operational flying training mission" when the tragedy occurred.

Three pilots were involved and one of them sadly died as a result of the incident, it has been confirmed.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

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Indian Air Force has since confirmed that the pilot killed was Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarath.

The air force has not named the aircraft involved in the crash, but local media reported they were the Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 fighter jets.

The crash occurred near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh state, central India on Saturday morning (WION)

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash (WION)

Images from the crash site showed plumes of black smoke and flames rising from the debris of the aircraft.

Two pilots managed to eject safely, but it is not clear whether the planes collided, Adarsh Katiyar, additional director general of police, told the Press Trust of India news agency.

Madhya Pradesh's chief minister tweeted that the local administration will help the air force with rescue and relief efforts.

The Indian Air Force statement reads: "Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission.

"One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident."

A later update said: "The IAF deeply regrets to inform that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family."

Sam Truelove