A Jaguar trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) tragically crashed on Wednesday afternoon during a routine training mission in Rajasthan’s Churu district, resulting in the death of both pilots on board.

The crash occurred in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village around 1.25 p.m., according to SHO Rajaldesar Kamlessh, who spoke with news agency PTI.

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the Indian Air Force confirmed,

“An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported.”

The IAF expressed its condolences, stating,

“IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” and announced that a court of inquiry has been constituted to investigate the cause of the accident.

“The pilot manoeuvred the aircraft away from any habitation on the ground before ejecting safely. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the Air Force noted.

The recurring nature of these accidents involving IAF aircraft raises questions around fleet maintenance, pilot safety protocols, and technical reliability of ageing platforms.

In 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has witnessed multiple aircraft crashes during routine training missions, prompting deep scrutiny over operational safety and aircraft integrity.

In April, a two-seater Jaguar aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Jamnagar Airfield during a night mission. The pilots encountered a technical malfunction mid-flight and ejected to avoid damage to nearby areas. Tragically, one of them, Siddharth Yadav, succumbed to injuries while the other survived.

Earlier in March, a fighter jet crashed in Panchkula district, Haryana. The IAF reported a system malfunction, but the pilot successfully navigated the aircraft away from residential zones before ejecting safely.

February saw a Mirage 2000 twin-seater jet go down near Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Both pilots ejected safely before the aircraft crashed during a routine sortie.

In November 2024, a MiG-29 jet crashed near Agra, Uttar Pradesh, owing to a technical fault. The pilot managed to eject safely, and no casualties were reported.

Each incident triggered a formal inquiry by the IAF, yet the recurring nature of these mishaps has underscored the urgent need for upgrades, thorough maintenance protocols, and reinforced pilot safety measures across the fleet.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the two black boxes of the crashed Air India airliner carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members have been found.

An Indian official confirmed an investigation is underway as to what was the cause of the plane crash.

As reported by ABC News, Shri G.V.G. Yugandhar, director general of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, said U.S. investigators are expected to arrive on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

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Source: Legit.ng