A series of crashes and aircraft losses have made this financial year costly for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Indian Air Force has lost 16 aircraft in the financial year – ranging from helicopters to combat jets and trainers – to varying incidents that mark it as a low on the safety front. Two of these losses are combat-related, the MiG 21 Bison and the Mi 17 V5 that went down on February 27, while the rest have occurred during routine missions.
According to Our research, the Indian Air Force has lost 11 jet, 4 helicopters, and one drone in 2019 (We have not included the Indian navy and Indian army aircraft crashes in this list). Here are Details of All crash incidents:
- on January 30, 2019, Indian Air Force’s SEPECAT Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar. Luckily Wing Commander Rohit Katoch managed to eject safely from the plane.
- on February 1, 2019, Two pilots died in the IAF Upgraded Mirage 2000TI fighter jet crash in Bengaluru. Squadron Leader Siddhartha Negi and Squadron Leader Samir Abrol died in the crash
- on February 12, 2019, Indian Air Force MiG-27 aircraft crashes near Pokhran range. The pilot ejected safely above the Pokhran range.
- On February 19, 2019, Two IAF Surya Kiran Aircraft collided mid-air during a rehearsal of Aero India, 1 pilot dead and two injured
- on February 5, 2019, Indian Army HAL Dhruv performs an emergency landing on a farm field. No injuries reported to the crew.
- On 14 February 2019 In the bombing, a militant from Jammu and Kashmir killed 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force members in Pulwama. The militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility, while Pakistan’s government condemned the attack and denied any involvement. Reacting to the suicide attack, the Indian Air Force on 26 February violated the Line of Control (LOC) to conduct what it called “preemptive” aerial strikes that targeted a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. On the latter day, 27 February Pakistan Airforce conducted airstrikes in Indian-administered Kashmir and targeted Six military installments. To counter PAF Airstrike IAF Scrambled its fighter jets. During Aerial engagement PAF fighter jets shot down one IAF MIG-21 fighter jets. Pakistan captured one Indian pilot, Abhinandan Varthaman, and he was subsequently released on 1 March as a peace gesture
- Also on 27 February 2019 during IAF-PAF Aerial engagement, Indian Airforce mistakenly shot down its own Mi17 V5 helicopter at Budgam. 6 IAF Officers & 1 Civilian Killed In the incident. Later Investigation revealed that IAF Air Traffic Control officer confusion caused Budgam’s friendly fire’ Mi-17 chopper crash.
- On 8 March 2019 Indian Air Force Mig-21 ‘Bison’ crashes in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. The pilot managed to eject successfully. The MiG-21 took off from Nal on a routine mission.
- on 31 March 2019 Indian Air Force MiG-27 crashed near Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The pilot ejected safely.
- on 3 June 2019 Indian Air Force AN-32 plane with 13 onboard goes missing after Take Off near China border. The wreckage was found in a remote area in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. No one survived the crash
- on 8 August 2019 Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter jet crashed after a technical malfunction. Both pilots managed to eject from the plane.
- on 21 August 2019 IAF Helicopter carrying flood relief mission Crashes in Uttarkashi After Hitting Electric Wires. All three occupants died in the crash.
- on 17 September 2019 Indian DRDO’s Rustom 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Crashes In Farm In Karnataka.
- on 25 September 2019 Indian Air Force MiG-21UM Trainer Aircraft Crashes Near Gwalior Airbase. Both pilots – a Group Captain and a Squadron Leader – managed to eject safely.
- on 27 September 2019 Indian Army HAL Chetak Helicopter Crashes In Bhutan, Both Pilots Dead
