AN IAF MiG-21 Bison aircraft crashed during heavy rain in a field in Punjab’s Moga district, killing its pilot Squadron Leader Abhinav Choudhary, officials said.

 

The aircraft was on a training sortie from Suratgarh in Rajasthan when it crashed in Langeana village on Thursday night, said Moga Superintendent of Police Gurdeep Singh.

 

The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident and said it condoles the tragic loss of its officer.

 

“The aircraft crashed in a field and caught fire. It was raining heavily at the time,” Singh said, adding that there was no other loss of life or damage to property. The pilot’s body was found about two kilometres from the crash site, barely 200 metres from a couple of big ‘havelis’.

 

“Had the aircraft crashed over these houses, it could have caused heavy casualties,” Singh said. He said the pilot appeared to have deployed a parachute in a bid to land safely.

 

“It seems he broke his neck upon impact on the ground,” he added.

He added that IAF officials from Halwara and Bathinda with medical teams and ambulances had reached the crash site.

“A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” it added.