Indian Navy spots crashed MiG-29K debris, search operations for Cdr Nishant Singh continue

Providing an update on search operations for Cdr Nishant Singh, who has been missing since crash of MiG-29K trainer aircraft on Thursday, Indian Navy said that it has located some of debris of aircraft including landing gear, turbo charger, fuel tank engine and wing engine cowling. trainer aircraft had crashed around 5 pm on Thursday in Arabian Sea after it ditched off Goa. Indian Navy has deployed 09 warships and 14 aircrafts along with Fast Interceptor Craft to recover missing Cdr Nishant Singh. 

Soon after crash, a high-level inquiry was ordered by Indian Navy on Thursday itself. “A MiG-29K trainer aircraft of Indian Navy operating at sea ditched at about 1700 hrs on 26 v 20. One pilot has been recovered and search by air and surface units is in progress for second pilot. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate incident,” Indian Navy had said in a statement. 

fighter jet was flying back to its base INS Hansa from aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

READ | MiG-29K Trainer Aircraft Crashes In Arabian Sea; One Pilot Rescued, Search On For Or

3 crashes in two years

MiG-29, which is manufactured by Russia, has had an uneasy history in India, having been crashed on two occasions previously. In February 2020, a MiG-29K had crashed in Goa after it was hit by birds. pilots mand to eject in time and landed safely. Prior to that, on vember 16, 2019, ar MiG-29K had crashed in South Goa due to failure of both its engines. In 2018, ar aircraft was badly damd after it veered off runway from INS Hansa in 2018.

In 2016, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its annual report, had pointed out deficiencies in Russian aircraft. report said, "MiG29K continues to face operational deficiencies due to defects in engines, airframe and fly-by-wire system." It also highlighted that aircraft which is 'mainstay of integral fleet air defence' is riddled with problems relating to airframe, RD MK-33 engine and fly-by-wire system. 

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