Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed when a military transport plane crashed in a fireball during landing at Rowriah Airbase in Assam, India, with the tragedy captured on CCTV.
Crash Details
The Antonov AN-32 aircraft, operated by 43 Squadron of the IAF, was conducting a routine training exercise when disaster struck. The plane made contact with the runway normally before drifting to the left during its landing sequence. It then careered off the tarmac, rolled over on the grass verge, and burst into flames. Local residents reported hearing a tremendous bang followed by plumes of thick black smoke billowing from the facility.
Victims and Survivor
The five deceased personnel have been named as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. Remarkably, the aircraft's co-pilot survived the high-impact crash and is currently undergoing medical care for severe injuries.
Official Response
The tragedy occurred on Saturday morning (13 June) at Rowriah Airbase. In an official statement, the IAF expressed profound sorrow at the loss of five personnel and extended sympathies to the grieving families. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid homage to the fallen air warriors, describing their bravery and dedication to the nation as something that will forever be remembered with pride and gratitude.
Investigation
The AN-32 cargo plane is a tactical transport aircraft from the Soviet era that has long been an integral part of the IAF's fleet. The IAF acknowledged the accident and promptly initiated an investigation to determine the cause. Officials have appealed to the public to refrain from speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
