A Su-30MkI aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) crashed at Nashik in Maharashtra on Wednesday morning. Both the pilots ejected safely.
“Su-30 MkI, produced at HAL Nashik crashed during a sortie in local flying area of Ozar (Nashik) Airport today at 11 a.m.,” HAL said in a statement.
Pre-delivery trials
The aircraft was undergoing pre-delivery trials by the manufacturer after which it was to be handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to local police, the jet took off from the HAL airstrip near Nashik and crashed around 25 km away near Pimpalgaon Baswant town .
“It was piloted by Wg Cdr Prashant Nair accompanied by Flight Test Engineer Squadron Leader L. Biswal,” the statement added.
Probe ordered
HAL is manufacturing the Su-30 twin engine, air superiority fighters under licenCe from Russia. A Board of Investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident.
(With inputs from PTI)
