MiG-29 jet crashes near Agra, pilot ejects safely

A MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in a field near Uttar Pradesh’s Agra on Monday. The mishap occurred during a routine training sortie after the jet encountered a “system malfunction”, an official said.

There were no casualties in the incident, he added. The pilot manoeuvered the aircraft to ensure no damage to life or property on the ground before ejecting safely, the IAF said, adding that a Court of Inquiry had been ordered to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Visuals emerged on social media platforms showing the fuselage of the crashed jet engulfed in flames billowing a thick cloud of smoke. A large number of curious onlookers gathered near the crash site in the field. “A MiG-29 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Agra during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot manoeuvered the aircraft to ensure no damage to life or property, before ejecting safely. An enquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF said.