5 killed as IAF AN-32 aircraft crashes while landing at Jorhat airbase, co-pilot survives

Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine sortie while attempting to land at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. The aircraft went down inside the airbase premises at around 10:00 a.m. The Indian Air Force confirmed the accident and said crash site management and initial enquiries were underway. One crew member, identified as the co-pilot, survived and is undergoing treatment.

The Indian Air Force stated that the aircraft involved was an AN-32 transport plane used for carrying supplies. According to available information, the aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Rowriah Air Force Station in Upper Assam. The crash reportedly triggered a fire, prompting an immediate emergency response within the airbase.

The Indian Air Force identified the personnel who lost their lives as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. Rescue teams were deployed immediately after the accident, and firefighting operations were carried out at the crash site.

In an official statement, the Indian Air Force said the aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie and expressed condolences to the families of those who died. Authorities stated that the cause of the crash has not yet been established and that further details would be released after preliminary investigations.

The Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the accident. Investigation teams are examining the crash site and collecting evidence as part of the inquiry. Officials said the aircraft came down within the Air Force Station premises and that assessment of the incident is continuing.