Five Indian air force personnel were killed when a military transport plane crashed while landing at an air force station in the country's remote northeast on Saturday, the military confirmed.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred at Jorhat in Assam state. The Indian Air Force expressed deep regret over the loss of five personnel in the An-32 crash. The statement did not specify the total number of people on board or whether there were any survivors. However, an air force official, speaking anonymously, told AFP that the co-pilot survived.
Visuals of the Crash Site
News channel NDTV broadcast images showing a thick black plume of smoke and the aircraft apparently broken into pieces at the crash site. The air force extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
Aircraft and Investigation
The Russian-made Antonov An-32 was on a routine sortie when it crashed during landing. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. The An-32 is a twin-engine turboprop designed for high altitudes and extreme climates. The Indian air force operates about 100 of them for military supplies and civilian aid in remote mountain areas.
Previous Incidents
The last major crash involving the An-32 occurred in 2019 in Arunachal Pradesh, near the border with China, killing 13 people.
