IAF trainer aircraft that crashed in Churu had technical fault, says brother of deceased pilot

India Gazette

5 days ago

Rohtak (Haryana) [India], July 10 (ANI): A day after the Indian Air Force's Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Churu claiming two pilots, Gyanendra, elder brother of deceased Squadron Leader Lokender Singh Sindhu said that as per the information, there was a technifcal fault with the craft as a result of which, it started crashing over a densely populated area.
The elder brother of the deceased pilot said, 'He made the highest sacrifice that a soldier can make for his country. He died while serving his country. He died while saving civilians. My family and I are very proud of him. He is survived by his wife, a one-month-old son, his sister, mother, father, and (paternal) grandparents. His last leave was on 30 June. We had a family function that day to celebrate the birth of his son. He rejoined work on 1 July. We talked on text three hours before the accident and on a video call the night before.'
'As per the information we got, there was a technical fault with the aircraft because of which it started crashing over a densely populated area. They managed to fly away from that area, but in the process, their aircraft got very close to the ground. In a Jaguar Trainer, if you go below 500 feet, then you cannot eject. That's why the copilots could not eject from the plane,' he further said.
Cousin of the second deceased, Flight Lt Rishi Raj Singh, said, 'The news was very shocking for our family. We had never seen his father cry before. Rishi was very young. His career had just begun. He was selected in the NDA in his first attempt. He was very bright. He had a good nature and was a great brother.'
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the death of two pilots who were onboard the Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter aircraft that crashed near Churu.
In a post on X, Singh said that their service to the nation will always be remembered.
'Deeply pained by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF's Jaguar trainer aircraft near Churu in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness,' the Defence Minister said.
A twin-seater trainer version of the Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Wednesday near Churu district of Rajasthan, resulting in the death of two pilots onboard.
The Indian Air Force posted on its official handle on X about the casualties in the accident.
IAF further said that no damage has been caused to any civil property, and a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
'An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,' the Indian Air Force posted. (ANI)