2nd fighter, Jaguar, crashes in Pokharan, IAF orders a probe

An Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft crashed today in the Pokharan test range, killing the pilot. The second aircraft to go down in the test ...

An Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft crashed today in the Pokharan test range, killing the pilot. The second aircraft to go down in the test range this month, it has raised concerns in Air Headquarters. Under the scanner is an indigenous trigger mechanism developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) based in Pune.

The Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft, which took off from Jaisalmer air station this morning on a sortie ahead of the Millennium Shakti 2004 exercise next month, crashed at around 9.30 am, killing Wing Commander Ravi Khanna.

A MiG-23 BN crashed in the same area on February 7, killing its pilot.Worried over the crashes, Air Headquarters has asked an ARDE team to participate in the investigations. Sources said ARDE men were rushed from Pune to the crash site along with IAF officials.

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Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy confirmed to The Indian Express that an ARDE team was participating in the probe. ‘‘While it is early to draw conclusions on both crashes, we have to rule out one cause after another. We are also looking at the armaments and an ARDE team is part of the investigations,’’ he said.

Sources said the MiG-23 BN crash on February 7 had also raised doubts about the trigger mechanism as well as the engine.

It’s learnt that there was a malfunction when the aircraft tried to release live munitions. Initial reports on the Jaguar crash also indicated it occurred soon after the pilot tried to release live munitions.

Sources pointed to parallels between the two crashes: both aircraft were preparing for the upcoming Millennium Shakti 2004 and were carrying live munitions for the bombing exercise; both were flown by experienced fighter pilots and the circumstances of the crash were identical.

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According to the IAF’s findings on the MiG-23 BN crash, there were twin flashes before air tower lost radio contact. This was immediately followed by an explosion, blowing the aircraft. Sources said that initial reports on the Jaguar crash spoke of a similar sequence of events.

Keeping in mind the ‘‘sensitivity’’ of the incident, senior officials from Air Headquarters are expected to reach the crash site on Friday. A Court of Inquiry into the crash has been ordered by Air Headquarters.