On Monday, a series of unfortunate aviation incidents struck India, leading to the loss of lives and critical assets. Two separate crashes involving military aircraft underscored the risks faced by those serving in the Indian armed forces.
The first incident occurred at 22:00 in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, where an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet crashed due to a technical malfunction.
On a routine training mission, the aircraft encountered a critical issue mid-flight, forcing the pilot to eject. Fortunately, the pilot managed to eject safely and was recovered without injury. The aircraft, however, was destroyed upon impact after it crashed into an unpopulated field near Uttarlai.
The crash site caught fire, but no casualties or damage to property were reported on the ground. The IAF has launched an inquiry into the cause of the malfunction to prevent future incidents.
Just over an hour later, at approximately 23:15, tragedy struck again, this time over the Arabian Sea near Gujarat. An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), on a medical emergency flight, crashed while attempting to evacuate a critically injured crew member from the motor tanker Hari Leela, located about 45 km off the coast of Porbandar.
The helicopter, which had been launched in response to an emergency request, carried four crew members. As the helicopter approached the vessel, it encountered difficulties and ditched into the sea.
Rescue operations were immediately launched, with four ships and two aircraft deployed by the Coast Guard. While one crew member was rescued, the pilot, co-pilot, and one diver remain missing. The wreckage of the helicopter has been located, but the search continues for the missing personnel. The incident is particularly tragic as the ALH had recently undergone a critical safety upgrade, including the installation of a new control system designed to improve its airworthiness. This upgrade followed a series of accidents last year that led to a comprehensive review and redesign of the helicopter’s booster control rods.
These back-to-back incidents highlight the dangers associated with military aviation and the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft used by the armed forces.
While inquiries will undoubtedly provide more information on what went wrong, these crashes serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who operate and maintain these vital machines.
