Sea Harrier fighter crashes in Goa, pilot ejects safely

Panaji, Dec 24 (UNI) An Indian Navy Sea Harrier crash-landed at the end of the runway at Dabolim airport today, but the pilot managed to eject safely.

The accident occurred at around 1100 hrs during routine sortie according to Airport Authority of India Station Director Paul Manickam.

The debris was later removed from the runway without affecting any traffic. The pilot is reported to be safe.

The accident, however, did not affect civilian flights operation.

The training sorties of the Navy occur between 0830 hrs and 1300 hrs when the civil flights are not allowed to fly.

The Dabolim airport is under the control of the Indian Navy under INS Hansa.

The INS Hansa authorities told UNI that they have ordered a Board of Inquiry to probe into the crash.

The pilot, Commander Janak Pewali, was ejected safe before the fighter aircraft crash-landed.

UNI