NEW DELHI: Visuals from the scene depict the aircraft engulfed in flames in an open field located in Songa village, with onlookers standing at a safe distance from the burning wreckage. Some individuals were seen holding equipment resembling an ejection seat, indicating that the pilot’s escape mechanism functioned effectively.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the crash remains unclear, and the Indian Air Force has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.
MiG-29 Fighter Jet Overview
Originally from Soviet Russia, the MiG-29, also called the “Fulcrum” by NATO and called “Baaz” in India, is an air superiority fighter jet that joined the Indian Air Force in 1987. According to reports, the jet involved in today’s incident was an upgraded version of the MiG-29 UPG, which has a generally good safety record.
Recent Crash History
In the past two months, there have been two MiG-29 crashes. A technical malfunction during a routine night flight in Barmer, Rajasthan, in September caused another MiG-29 to crash, although the pilot was ejected safely.
Ejection Seat Technology
The Zvezda K-36D zero-zero ejection seat, one of the most sophisticated ejection systems in the world, is fitted to the MiG-29. The Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter jets also use this seat. Pilots can safely eject from a stationary position even at zero speed and altitude thanks to the zero-zero capability, which is essential in low-altitude or low-speed flight emergencies, such as ground accidents during takeoff or landing.
Martin-Baker’s zero-zero ejection seats, which were created in the West and later impacted Soviet designs, served as the model for the technology. A similar ejection seat system is also found in the domestic Tejas fighter jet, demonstrating the improvements in pilot safety gear in contemporary military aviation.
