The IAF has grounded its entire fleet of around 60 old MiG-21 ‘Bison’ fighters for comprehensive engine and other technical checks after one of the single engine jets crashed into a village and killed three women on the ground in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan.
Defence officials said that the three MiG-21 squadrons stationed at Rajasthan's Uttarlai, Suratgarh, and Nal air bases on the western front won't be allowed to go to the skies until the ongoing technical inspections by the IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) are over.
The preliminary probe into the accident, which included analysis of the flight data recorder, has pointed out that the pilot had no option but to eject after the MiG-21 developed “some engine problem” during an operational sortie from the Suratgarh air base on May 8. “The pilot first tried to recover the jet after the onboard emergency. But he failed and had to eject. As a routine precaution, flying operations of the MiG-21s have been suspended for technical checks,” he added.
Approximately 55 soldiers died in over 50 distinct aircraft and helicopter mishaps in the IAF, Army, and Navy in just the previous five years alone, according to media accounts, in addition to people on the ground.
“As per the standard procedure, one-time checks are going on for which the fleet was grounded after the crash. Aircraft are back in the air as the checks progress,” an Air Force official said.