Indian Air Force Transport Aircraft Crashes in Assam; Five IAF Personnel Martyred
An Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft, the AN-32, crashed on Saturday at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam, resulting in the martyrdom of five Air Force personnel on board.
Two 'Agniveer Vayu' personnel are among the IAF personnel martyred in the accident.
An IAF spokesperson stated that Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveer Vayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveer Vayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during this accident.
He said the Air Force is deeply saddened by the loss of five 'Air Warriors' in this accident. The Indian Air Force extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief. The spokesperson added that a Court of Inquiry has been constituted to investigate the accident.
The transport aircraft crashed while landing at the Jorhat Air Force Station around 10:00 AM. It caught fire during the landing process, leading to the crash. The cause of the accident is not yet known. The aircraft was on a routine flight.
After catching fire, the aircraft broke into two parts. The pilot of the aircraft is among the martyred personnel, while the co-pilot sustained injuries.
The AN-32 is a twin-engine transport aircraft that has been a vital logistics asset for the Air Force for decades. It has played a crucial role in various operations across the country, particularly in high-altitude regions and remote airfields.
Several major mishaps involve AN-32 fleet
This accident has revived memories of several major mishaps involving the AN-32 fleet over the past few years. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in June 2019, when an An-32 aircraft carrying 13 people went missing after taking off from Jorhat, Assam, for Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. Following a search and rescue operation that lasted over a week, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh; all 13 people on board had perished.
Earlier, in July 2016, another An-32 aircraft carrying 29 people went missing over the Bay of Bengal while en route from the Tambaram Air Force Station in Chennai to Port Blair. Despite one of the largest search and rescue operations ever conducted by the Air Force, the aircraft remained missing for several years. Eventually, in 2024, the wreckage was found on the seabed, confirming the deaths of all 29 individuals.
The An-32 aircraft has been the backbone of the Air Force's transport fleet since the 1980s. It has played a crucial role in troop transport, logistics supply missions, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief operations. The aircraft has successfully executed missions, particularly in rugged terrains and border areas. Over time, it has undergone upgrades to its avionics, navigation systems, and operational capabilities.