Plane crashes in Rajasthan, two pilots killed

A Jaguar trainer fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in Churu district of Rajasthan, India, killing two pilots. The accident occurred on Wednesday (July 9) afternoon. The Indian Express reported. The deceased are Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sidhu and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh of the Air Force. The country’s Air Force said that the plane was on a training mission. A statement issued by the X said, “The plane crashed. Both pilots lost their lives. There was no damage to civilian property. A court of inquiry has been formed to investigate the cause of the accident.” Local Superintendent of Police Jay Yadav said that the plane was flying at a low altitude above the ground. According to local sources, the plane was flying very low before the crash. Experts say that flying at low altitudes is very risky. Such accidents can occur due to collision with birds or unmarked obstacles like mobile towers and windmills. This is the third Jaguar accident since March this year. On March 7, a Jaguar crashed shortly after takeoff from Ambala airbase in Haryana. The pilot ejected safely. On April 2, another Jaguar crashed in Jamnagar, Gujarat, killing one pilot and seriously injuring another. The Jaguar fighter jet was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1979. Currently, six squadrons have Jaguars. Although the engine development plan was started in 2010, it was canceled due to high costs. The aircraft is still powered by the old Adair Mk 811 engine.