Panic over Jalandhar sky as MiG-21 crashes, fleet grounded

Around 100 MiG-21 fighters will now be grounded for 10 days for checks. No training sorties will be flown, though operational readiness will be maintained.

The decision was taken after two engine flame-outs were reported this month, both resulting in crashes. Although Flight Lieutenant Naik, who was piloting the aircraft today, bailed out safely, Squadron Leader Rajesh Bundela, the pilot in the other flame-out, was not so lucky.

‘‘He is admitted at a hospital in Pune and is in bad shape. He is paralysed neck down and is on a respirator,’’ Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy said today.

Providing details of today’s crash, Krishnaswamy said that the aircraft was participating in an exercise and was on its way from Adampur to Halwara. ‘‘At five minutes past 10 this morning, barely minutes after take-off, the pilot reported engine failure. He was at that time at two km (6,600 feet) altitude. When efforts to reignite the engine failed, he bailed out.’’

Describing the R-25 as one of the best engines available for a MiG-21 Bis, Krishnaswamy said each and every engine will have to be examined extensively before being cleared for flying within a period of 10 days.

There have been four MiG-21 crashes in the past four months. While two were due to engine failure, one was due to a bird hit and the fourth is being blamed on ‘‘pilot error’’.

About half the 774 combat aircraft fleet of IAF comprises the MiG-21 aircraft. Though the MiG-21 type 75 (Bis) have been grounded, the MiG-21 Type-96 and Type-77 with a R-11 engine will continue to fly, Krishnaswamy said.

The new upgraded MiG-21 Bis-93, 10 of which are being inducted into the IAF presently, will fly even though they have a R-25 engine, he said. ‘‘This is because though they have the same R-25 engine, they have undergone a complete overhaul and are as good as new. Secondly, several components like the gearbox and hydraulics are different. There is a higher degree of reliability in those aircraft,’’ the air chief said.

He conceded that IAF was unable to get the desired degree of serviceability and would like an improved spares supply system. ‘‘The older aircraft need to be frequently pulled in for mandatory fatigue checks and cracks. We would have ideally wanted better serviceability,’’ he said. On the much delayed Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) acquisition, he said that price negotiations had concluded. ‘‘The acquisition is in its final lap.’’

On the MiG-21 aircraft which had been missing for over a week near the Indo-Bhutan border, Krishnaswamy said a massive search was still on, with the co-operation of the Bhutanese armed forces.

(With Pawandeep Sooch in Jalandhar)