Mikoyan MiG-29K, an Indian Navy aircraft crashes into the Arabian Sea; one pilot rescued, search operation on for the missing pilot
The Indian Navy on Friday confirmed that a MiG-29K trainer aircraft, which was operating in the Arabian sea, crashed on Thursday. The incident occurred at around 5 pm. As per reports, one of the two pilots has been rescued, while search operation is underway to locate the second missing pilot.
A statement released by the Indian Navy said that a search by air and surface units is underway for the second pilot. They also said that it has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.” A MiG-29K trainer aircraft operating at sea ditched at about 1700 hrs on 26 Nov 20. One pilot recovered and search by air and surface units in progress for the second pilot. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident,” the Indian Navy said.
The officials confirmed that the jet had taken off for a sortie from India’s only aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. MiG-29K – the Russian-origin fighter planes – operate from the deck of INS Vikramaditya, which had taken part in the recent Malabar naval drills involving the Quad navies of US, Australia, India and Japan in the northern Arabian sea.
In February this year, an Indian Navy MiG-29K aircraft crashed while conducting a routine sortie in Goa. The MiG-29K aircraft was conducting a routine training sortie off the coast of Goa when it crashed at around 10.30 am. This is third crash of MiG-29K in one year.
The investigations are underway so we would keep you posted.