Jorhat (Assam): Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at an Air Force station in Assam’s Jorhat district on Saturday. The co-pilot survived the accident and is currently undergoing treatment, Air Force officials said.
The IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the crash.
According to officials, the aircraft had taken off from the Air Force base in Jorhat with six personnel on board, including the pilot. Shortly after take-off, the pilot reportedly detected a technical snag and decided to return to the airbase.
However, while attempting to land, the aircraft reportedly overshot the runway and crashed. A fire broke out following the crash landing, resulting in the deaths of five Air Force personnel.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Indian Air Force said: “An IAF AN-32 aircraft met with an accident while landing at Jorhat today. A Court of Inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
The incident occurred at the Air Force’s Rowriah Airbase in Jorhat. Senior Air Force officials rushed to the site soon after the accident and rescue operations were launched immediately.
The Antonov AN-32 is a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft of Soviet origin and forms a key part of the IAF’s transport fleet. It is extensively used for strategic airlift operations, troop movement, cargo transportation and logistical support, particularly in remote and high-altitude regions.
Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
