MiG crash in Barmer, both pilots martyred: Aircraft debris spread for half a kilometer, area sealed; More than 100 officers on the spot

barmerOne hour ago

An Air Force fighter jet MiG-21 Bison (trainer aircraft) crashed on Thursday night at 9:10 pm in Bhimda village of Barmer in Rajasthan. The explosion was so strong that the sound was heard for 8-10 km in the vicinity. There was fire all around in the debris spread for half a kilometer. Both the pilots on board the plane were killed in the accident.

Late in the night, the Air Force took possession of about half a kilometer area around the spot. The Air Force is engaged in collecting the scattered debris and investigating the incident. More than 100 jawans and Airforce officers are present on the spot.

After the accident, the Collector and SP, including Air Force officers, also reached the spot.

After the accident, the Collector and SP, including Air Force officers, also reached the spot.

Some videos of the incident have surfaced, in which the wreckage of the plane is on fire after the accident. Body parts are scattered. A mobile phone is also broken nearby. Where the plane fell, there has been a big crater within a radius of 15 feet. This is the eighth case of a military plane crash in Barmer in 9 years.

The plane turned into a ball of fire
The MiG-21 took off from Uttarlai. Suddenly there was a technical fault in the plane near Bhimra. It is being told that the MiG crashed on a sand dune. It caught fire due to lack of fuel. Before both the pilots could eject from the plane, it turned into a ball of fire.

It is also coming to the fore that a house has also been damaged during the accident. However, this has not yet been confirmed by the officials.

The wreckage of the plane spread after the MiG crash.  Airforce officials are collecting the debris.

The wreckage of the plane spread after the MiG crash. Airforce officials are collecting the debris.

The village was turned into a cantonment
Ishra Mauka Tala village, about 2 km from Bhimda village, has been converted into a cantonment. Om Prakash Kodecha, a resident of this village told- As usual people were preparing to sleep after having their food. Then a ball of fire appeared in the sky. Shortly after, there was a loud explosion. Seeing this, the villagers ran towards the spot. Flames were rising on the spot. The bodies of 2 people were lying. Police and army officials reached the spot about 45 minutes after the accident.

The pilot's belongings were found in the accident.  Army officials have sealed the entire area around the spot.

The pilot’s belongings were found in the accident. Army officials have sealed the entire area around the spot.

Air Force ordered Court of Inquiry
The Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to find out the cause of the accident. Also, condolences have been expressed to the families of those who lost their lives. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary about the accident.

This is the eighth MiG crash in 9 years in Barmer district

  • 12 February 2013: Just 7 kms from Uttarlai. MiG-21 crashes near Anani ki Dhani Kudla, pilot safe.
  • 7 June 2013: 40 kms from Uttarlai. MiG-21 crashes in distant Sodiyar, pilot safe.
  • 15 July 2013: 4 km from Uttarlai. MiG-27 crashes in distant Bandra, pilot safe.
  • 27 Jan 2015: MiG-21 crashes on Shivkar Road in Barmer, pilot safe.
  • 10 September 2016: MiG-21 crashes in Mali ki Dhani Barmer, pilot safe.
  • March 15, 2017: Sukhoi-30 crashes near Shivkar, pilot safe.
  • 25 August 2021: MiG-21 Bison crashes in Matasar Bhurtiya, pilot safe.
  • 28 July 2022: MiG-21 Bison crashes in Bhimda village, two pilots martyred.

India is the largest operator of MiG-21s after Russia and China
India is the third largest operator of MiG-21s after Russia and China. In 1964, this aircraft was inducted into the Air Force as the first supersonic fighter jet. The initial jets were made in Russia and then India also acquired the rights and technology to assemble this aircraft.

Since then, the MiG-21 has played an important role on several occasions including the Indo-Pak war of 1971, Kargil war of 1999. Russia stopped manufacturing this aircraft in 1985, but India continued to use its upgraded variant.

Speed ​​2229 kmph, cost 177 crores
The speed of the MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft is 2229 kilometers per hour. Its range was around 644 km. However, India’s upgraded version of Bison can fly around 1000 km. Its length is 15.76 meters. Its cost is around 177 crores. It weighs 5,200 kg without weapons, while it weighs around 8,000 kg when armed.

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