A Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Thursday evening. The jet was on a routine training mission when it went down approximately 60 kilometers from the Jorhat airbase. Officials confirmed that the aircraft lost contact with ground control shortly after takeoff, triggering an immediate emergency response in the region.
👉: IAF Su-30 MKI Jet Crashes in Assam Forests During Training, Search Operations Launched for Pilots।
Details of the Crash and Timeline
The advanced multirole fighter jet took off from Jorhat Airbase on March 5, 2026. According to official reports, the aircraft lost all radio and radar contact with ground control at 7:42 pm local time. The crash site is located in the dense forests and hilly terrain of the Bokajan sub-division, which has made access difficult for rescue teams.
Local residents in the Chokihola area reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a massive fire in the interior hills. These eyewitness accounts helped authorities pinpoint the location. The Defence PRO confirmed the aircraft was overdue and later declared it had crashed. A Court of Inquiry has been established to find the exact cause of the accident.
Search for Pilots and Safety Concerns
As of Friday morning, the two pilots on board remain unaccounted for. Intensive search and rescue operations are currently underway, involving teams from the IAF, local police, and district administration. They are scouring the difficult terrain to locate the crew members and the flight data recorder.
- Incident Date: March 5, 2026
- Aircraft: Su-30 MKI
- Location: Karbi Anglong, Assam
- Current Status: 2 Pilots Missing
This incident has drawn attention to flight safety as it follows a recent mishap involving a Tejas LCA just 10 days prior. The Su-30 MKI is the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet with over 260 units in service, making the investigation into this crash vital for future operations.
