Article Posted on : - Dec 02, 2009

A File Photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The IAF has grounded all its Sukhoi-30 fighters after the aircraft's crash at Jaisalmer. This is the second Sukhoi crash this year.

"Following the Jaisalmer crash in Rajasthan on Monday, the IAF is conducting precautionary checks on each of the aircraft, till then it has stopped flying all its Sukhoi planes" an IAF official said.

The latest Sukhoi fighter aircraft had crashed at Jetha Ki Dhani near Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan on Monday, but the two pilots, Flight Lieutenant Arora and Wing Commander Srivastava bailed out to safety.

The first Sukhoi crash was reported on April 30 this year in which the co-pilot, Wing Commander P S Narah was killed.

The recent Sukhoi crash is the 13th IAF aircraft crash this year and the eighth fighter aircraft mishap.

The IAF currently operates around 100 Sukhoi-30 fighters in five squadrons based in Lohegaon near Pune and at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.