Article Posted on : - May 26, 2009

Sukhoi Su-30MKI. A File photo.

NEWDELHI (PTI): Long-range Sukhoi fighter jet aircraft, India's frontline war planes, have started flying again, nearly three weeks after they were confined to the hangars for checks following a crash.

The planes took to the skies last week, an IAF officer said here. They were subjected to checks after one of the Su-30MKI crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on April 30.

"Yes, they (Sukhois) flew last week," the IAF officer said, when asked about the probe going on into the air crash that killed a fighter pilot.

After the crash -- one of the two pilots Wg Cdr M V Munje bailed out safely while Wg Cdr P S Narah was killed though he ejected out of the cockpit -- the IAF had not flown the Sukhois and ordered a probe into the mishap and precautionary checks on all the 60 aircraft from the three operational Sukhoi squadrons of the force.

The joint probe by IAF inspectors and 20 specialists from the Russian original equipment manufacturers were still in progress, the IAF officer said, adding that they would take some more time to complete their inspections and give a final report.