E-Paper
MIG-27 crashes in West Bengal, pilot safe
A MiG-27 fighter plane on regular exercise from Hasimara Air base in Jalpaiguri district crashed near Mujnai Tea estate under Madaharihat Police Station on Friday afternoon. Pramod Giri reports.
A MiG-27 fighter plane on regular exercise from Hasimara Air base in Jalpaiguri district crashed near Mujnai Tea estate under Madaharihat Police Station on Friday afternoon.
The lone pilot successfully but suffered minor injuries. A MiG-27 had crashed on a village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan injuring six labourers and a child on 16 May, 2008. The pilot had ejected successfully.
Earlier in january 2008 a MiG-27 had crashed in hashimara, near the spot of Friday's crash.
On Friday the fighter plane took off from Hasimar Air base at 1.10 PM.
After a few minutes it developed technical snag and the rear end of the plane caught fire.
The pilot Gautam Choyal ejected and safe landed in Mujnai Tea Estate about 550 kms away from Kolkata.
The aircraft crashed at a river bank.
Two children playing on the ground suffered burnt injuries. One of the children Amit Tirkey, 7, was admitted to Birpara government hospital. The other, Sandip Tirkey, 6, was discharged after first aid.
The pilot who was initially admitted to Birpara government hospital was later shifted to Hasimara Air Force Hospital.
