IAF MiG-21 Aircraft Crashes in Bikaner, Pilot Ejects Safely

An Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in Bikaner’s Shobasar ki Dhani area in Rajasthan on Friday, 8 March.

The pilot of the aircraft, which took off from the Nal air base for a routine mission, ejected safely before the crash, the Defence Ministry spokesperson said.

According to initial inputs, a bird hit might have been responsible for the crash.

Today afternoon a MiG-21 aircraft on a routine mission crashed after getting airborne from Nal near Bikaner. Pilot of the aircraft ejected safely. Initial inputs suggest a bird hit. CoI will be investigating the cause of the accident.@PMOIndia @nsitharaman @PIB_India @IAF_MCC

— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 8, 2019

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered, which will investigate the cause of the accident.

Bikaner Superintendent of Police Pradeep Mohan Sharma said police teams had been rushed to the spot and no loss of life was reported.

The incident comes days after an IAF Mi-17 chopper crashed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam on 27 February, killing six officers and one civilian on the ground.

(With inputs from PTI.)