Pilot dies in crash involving two IAF fighter jets near MP’s Gwalior

An Indian Air Force pilot was killed after two fighter jets, a Sukhoi-30 and a Mirage 2000 crashed near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.

The pilot of the Mirage passed away after being critically wounded in the collision, while the two Su-30 pilots suffered minor injuries.

"The aircraft were on a routine operational flying training mission. One of the three pilots involved sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident," the air force said in a statement.

Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission.

One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2023

“The IAF deeply regrets to inform you that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family.” Indian Air Force wrote on their Twitter handle.

Officials said earlier that one of the aircraft came down in Madhya Pradesh and the other in the neighbouring state of Rajasthan.

According to additional sources, "the two aircraft took off from the Gwalior air base in MP where an exercise was taking place."

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