Sukhoi Su-30 Jet Crash: IAF Confirms 2 Pilots Died Due to Injuries

Squadron Leader D Pankaj and Flight Lt S Achudev couldn’t initiate ejection before the crash – causing their death. (Photo: Anjana Dutta)

The two pilots of the Sukhoi jet that had crashed after taking off from Tezpur in Assam suffered fatal injuries, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday said five days after the wreckage of the plane was found.

Squadron Leader D Pankaj and Flight Lt S Achudev could not initiate ejection before the crash that occurred 60 kms from Tezpur Airbase on 23 May, the IAF said.

The wreckage of the Sukhoi-30 MKI jet was found on 26 May in a dense forest area in Arunachal Pradesh after a three-day search operation.

Analysis of the flight data recorder (black box) of the aircraft and certain other articles recovered from the crash site revealed that the pilots could not initiate ejection before the crash.

Anupam Banerjee, spokesperson, IAF

The plane had taken off from Tezpur airbase at around 10:30 am on 23 May and had gone off the radar around 11:10 am.

Also Read: Black Box of Sukhoi Su-30 Found, Pilots’ Identities Undisclosed

PIB statement. (Photo: PIB)

It was on a routine training mission as part of a two-aircraft formation.

The wreckage of the jet was spotted from air on Friday, and search teams could reach the crash site only on Sunday due to inclement weather after which the black box was recovered.

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident, according to Wing Commander Banerjee.

(With PTI inputs)