An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed on Saturday while making a landing at the Rowriah Air Force Station in Assam’s Jorhat district, killing five air force personnel and injuring the co-pilot. The tragedy has led the IAF to set up a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash.
The AN-32 aircraft was on a routine sortie when it crashed during landing operations at the Jorhat air base, the government said. The plane caught fire upon landing, and firefighting and rescue teams at the air force site rushed to help. Thick smoke was seen rising from the crash site as personnel rushed to contain the blaze and assist those on board.
The Indian Air Force confirmed that five people lost their lives in the accident, while the co-pilot survived and is currently in medical treatment. The condition of the surviving officer is still not known, but he is being treated appropriately, according to the officials.
The deceased personnel have been identified as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. The deaths have sent shockwaves through the armed forces and among their families.
Initial reports indicate that the aircraft crashed on the airbase premises while trying to land. Videos and pictures of the damaged aircraft were posted on social media, and some comments indicated the aircraft broke apart due to the impact and fire. Rescuers and recovery teams quickly secured the area as investigations commenced.
The AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft that has been one of the main logistics platforms of the Indian Air Force for decades. The aircraft is extensively used for troop movement, cargo transport, humanitarian work, and supply in remote and high-altitude areas like the northeastern states, Ladakh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With the introduction of newer transport aircraft, the AN-32 continues to be an important part of the IAF’s transport network.
The Indian Air Force has commissioned a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash. Investigations into flight data, maintenance records, weather conditions, operational procedures, and technical aspects of the aircraft are to be carried out before any conclusions can be made.
As rescue and recovery activities are completed, we will now turn to the investigation, which will shed light on just what was behind one of the deadliest military aviation accidents in recent years.
