Sukhoi-30, Mirage 2000 fighter planes crash in Morena; Two pilots rescued, 1 killed

In a tragic incident, Indian Air Force's Sukhoi 30MKI and Mirage-2000 aircrafts crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district during a routine training mission on Saturday early morning, killing a pilot and injuring two who ejected safely.

"The aircraft were on a routine operational flying training mission. "One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident," the IAF said.

As per reports, there could be a possibility of a mid-air collision. However, it has not been confirmed by either the Indian Air Force or the local administration.


The possible mid-air collision between the two aircraft took place when they were flying a simulated combat mission at very high speeds. More details would come out in the court of inquiry, defence sources told ANI.


The two aircraft had reportedly taken off from the Gwalior air base where an exercise was going under way.

Morena District Collector Ankit Asthana said debris of both aircraft fell in the Pahargarh area of the district. Some debris also fell in the Bharatpur area in Rajasthan, which borders Madhya Pradesh, he added.

The two fighter jets had flown from the Gwalior airport, which also serves as an IAF base, the official said.

Two pilots survived the crash, Asthana said, adding that body parts of another were found in the Pahargarh area.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by the Indian Air Force Chief about the crash.

“Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was briefed by the Chief of Air Staff on the crash of two aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Raksha Mantri enquired about the well-being of the IAF pilots and is monitoring the developments closely,” Defence Ministry sources told ANI.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a tweet, "The news of the crash of Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft of the Air Force near Kolaras in Morena is very sad. I have instructed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God that the pilots of the planes are safe."


Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mirage 2000 are the backbone of Indian Air force. Mirage 2000 aircraft was used by the IAF for the Balakot air strike across the border in Pakistan in 2019 in a retaliatory action against the Pulwama terror attack.