A MiG-29K fighter aircraft crashed in south Goa’s Dabolim on Saturday noon after it took off for a training mission, Indian Navy said.
“During a training mission, after take-off from INS HANSA at Dabolim a Mig 29k trainer aircraft suffered an engine fire. The pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav ejected safely,” the Indian Navy tweeted.
During a training mission, after take off from INS HANSA at Dabolim a Mig 29k trainer aircraft suffered an engine fire. The pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav ejected safely. @SpokespersonMoD
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 16, 2019
Both the pilots have managed to eject safely. The aircraft involved in the crash was a trainer version of the fighter jet, the Navy added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reacted to the matter, saying: “Spoke to the pilots, Capt Mrigank and Deepak Yadav of the MiG-29K which crashed after the take-off from Goa today. It is a matter of great satisfaction that they managed to eject in time and both of them are safe. I pray for their good health and well-being.”
Spoke to the pilots, Capt Mrigank and Deepak Yadav of the MiG-29K which crashed after the take-off from Goa today.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that they managed to eject in time and both of them are safe. I pray for their good health and well-being.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 16, 2019
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Sharing further details, Goa Airport sources said that the Navy aircraft crashed in South Goa at around 12 noon, shortly after the aircraft took off from the Dabolim International Airport.
MiG-29K trainer aircraft was flying from ashore in Goa. During recovery, there was a bird hit and fire on the right engine was observed. The aircraft crashed in an open and safe area. No casualties reported, according to Indian Navy.
(With ANI inputs)