IAF fighter jet crash in Jamnagar: A Jaguar Fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jamnagar on Thursday during a night training mission, leading to the death of one pilot and injuries to another, as reported by ANI. Just after taking off from the Jamnagar Airfield, the two-seater aircraft experienced a technical malfunction, resulting in both pilots ejecting to avoid endangering the airbase and nearby civilian areas.
An IAF Jaguar two seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar Airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 3, 2025
IAF orders Court of Inquiry
Following standard procedure, the Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to probe the cause and find out what led to the mid-air failure. The flight data and the wreckage will be inspected by technical experts and crash investigation teams.
The incident has been confirmed by the Indian Air Force in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), stating, ‘’An IAF Jaguar Two-seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar Airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated injection, avoiding harm to the airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar.’’
The IAF extended its condolences to the family of the deceased officer, mentioning, ‘’IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family.’’ The identity of the pilots has been officially revealed.
Second crash in a row
In not more than a month, this is the second crash involving a Jaguar aircraft. On March 7, another Jaguar went down near Ambala in Haryana while doing a routine evening sortie. During that incident, the pilot managed to eject safely after shifting the jet away from populated areas.
Aging Jaguar raises concern
The aging Jaguar fleet has witnessed a series of technical issues in recent years, prompting an increase in investigation related to the aircraft’s long-term viability. Although both incidents have followed successful ejection protocols, the loss of life in the latest incident has raised concerns related to the safety of routine IAF operations.
(With inputs from ANI)