Article Posted on : - Sep 06, 2011

A file photo of IAF's MiG-21 fighter.

CHANDIGARH (PTI): A MiG-21 ‘Bison’ fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed Tuesday near Shambu in Punjab’s Patiala district even as the pilot bailed out safely.

The plane had taken off from Ambala on a routine training sortie and crashed at 1047 hrs, an IAF spokesman said in Delhi.

According to preliminary information, the fighter jet crashed in the fields close to Shambu, about 30 kms from here, Patiala’s Senior Superintendent of Police, G S Gill told PTI over phone.

Manjit Singh, Station House Officer of Shambu Police Station, said the pilot of the aircraft had ejected out before it crashed in the paddy fields.

Police and fire brigade personnel have rushed to the accident site, he said.

A court of inquiry has been ordered into the mishap.