Panaji: An Indian Navy MIG trainer aircraft crashed at a Goa village on Saturday morning, a senior defence official said. Both the pilots ejected safely, said Indian Navy Flag Officer, Goa, Rear Admiral Philipose George Pynumootil.
The officer said the aircraft was on a regular training sortie when the incident happened. The aircraft is attached to INS Hansa located near Dabolim in Goa.
Both the pilots have managed to eject safely. The aircraft involved in the crash was a trainer version of the fighter jet, the Indian Navy added. In a statement the Indian Navy said, "At about noon on 16 Nov 2019, a MiG-29K twin seater aircraft, on a routine training sortie, encountered a flock of birds after take off from INS Hansa Air Base at Dabolim Goa."
"The pilot observed the left engine had flamed out and the right engine had caught fire. Attempts to recover the aircraft were unsuccessful due to damage and low height. The pilot, showing presence of mind, pointed the aircraft away from populated areas and both pilots ejected safely. An enquiry has been instituted by the Navy. The pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav are safe and have been recovered. There has been no loss of life or damage to property on ground," the statement further added.
