IAF's MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, pilot killed

New Delhi: A MiG-21 plane of the Indian Air Force crashed in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer on Friday, killing the pilot Wing Commander Harshit Sinha. This is the fifth crash involving a Bison jet this year.

Confirming the news, the official handle of the Air Force tweeted, "With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the brave heart."

The aircraft crashed in the Desert National Park area under the Sam police station, Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh told news agency PTI. The SP said local police reached the spot and he is also on the way to the crash site.

A witness, who lives in a hamlet near the Desert National Park, said he saw the plane burst into flames. He claimed the plane caught fire before hitting the ground.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also extended condolences to Wing Commander Harshit Sinha's family. "Saddened to know Wing Commander Harshit Sinha lost his life when a MiG-21 aircraft met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. We share their grief and pray they find strength," CM Gehlot said.

Several MiG-21 crashes have been reported this year alone. The aircraft has been dubbed "flying coffin" as it makes news regularly for crashes. From 1971 to April 2012, as many as 482 MiG aircraft have met with accidents, killing 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel, and one aircrew, the government had told Parliament in May 2012. "The causes of accidents were both human error and technical defects," the government had said.