An Indian Air Force plane caught fire and crashed during take off at the Biju Patnaik airport on Saturday but its pilot escaped with minor burns.
The 'Surya Kiran' aircraft caught fire when it skidded off the runway and crashed into a ditch during take off after refuelling at the airport, Khurda Collector NC Jena told PTI at the accident site.
"The entire aircraft was burnt and parts were spread over an area of 30 to 40 metres radius," said Superintendent of Police Amitabh Thakur, who rushed to the spot.
The plane was among the four IAF aircraft which had landed here for refuelling on their way from Kalaikunda to
Vishakhapatnam, Jena said, adding IAF was informed of the incident.
Its pilot Wing Commander Rajat Tyagi, who came out of the aircraft on his own, sustained minor burn injuries on both legs and was given medical treatment, Addititonal Superintendent of Police BN Guru said adding that two fire tenders were pressed to extinguish the fire.
The three other planes flew safely. The sky was clear when the mishap occured and though preliminary findings indicate that the accident could have occurred due to technical snag, a probe has been ordered to find the exact reason, Jena said.
Two women, who were working in a nearby paddy field at the time, said they suddenly saw thick dark smoke billowing out of a ditch after two aircraft flew over their heads.
{{/usCountry}}Two women, who were working in a nearby paddy field at the time, said they suddenly saw thick dark smoke billowing out of a ditch after two aircraft flew over their heads.
{{/usCountry}}"When we realised a plane had caught fire in a ditch, another aircraft flew past with a defeaning sound," said Malati, one of the women.