IAF Group Captain killed in MIG-21 Bison aircraft crash in central India

Srinagar, Mar 03 (KINS): A Group Captain of the Indian Air Force was killed after a MiG-21 Bison aircraft was involved in a fatal accident on Wednesday morning, said the Indian Air Force.
“A MiG-21 Bison aircraft of IAF was involved in a fatal accident this morning, while taking off for a combat training mission at an airbase in central India. The IAF lost Group Captain A Gupta in the tragic accident. IAF expresses deep condolences and stands firmly with the family members,” IAF said.
The IAF added that a court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
The incident comes two months after a MiG-21 fighter jet of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh in Rajasthan during a training sortie due to a technical malfunction. The pilot managed to eject safely.
The Indian Air Force has lost 27 aircraft, including 15 fighter jets and helicopters, in crashes since 2016, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik had said in Parliament in 2019.
In the 2016-17 fiscal, six IAF fighter jets, two helicopters, one transport aircraft and one trainer crashed. In 2017-18, the air force lost two fighter jets and one trainer aircraft in crashes. The number rose sharply in 2018-19 with the IAF losing seven fighter jets, two helicopters and two trainers.(KINS)