Mig-29 crashes, pilot bails out, farmers have lucky escape

Ambala, Sep 28 (UNI) A Mig-29 fighter, on a sortie from Adampur airbase, crashed near the airbase here this afternoon, but the pilot ejected safely.

Flt Lt V Naik bailed out as the plane crashed into the paddy fields at about 1600 hrs today in Saddopur village, on the Delhi-Ambala-Chandigarh Highway, about five km from the Airbase.

The pilot, who was rushed to the Military Hospital here, is stated to be out of danger.

The Mig-29 burst into flames and a tractor standing in the paddy fields was also damaged, District Commissioner O P Langyan told UNI.

While the crop was also destroyed due to the crash, no human loss is reported so far, he said.

The reason of the crash, which occured at 1522 hrs, is not yet known.

An IAF spokesperson in New delhi said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

According to eye witnesses, the pilot landed before the aircraft fell in the fields. SP Amitabh Dhillon, who also rushed to the spot along with Air Force officials, said the area was cordoned off by the police and fire tenders were pressed into service.

The place where the crashed aircraft fell has two prestigious day-boarding schools in the vicinity.

Owner of the paddy field, Ram Singh, stated that some farm labourers in the field had a narrow escape as they fled away to safety as they noticed the aircraft coming down.

He said that his son, who was riding the tractor, also had a providential escape as he jumped off in nick of the time. A portion of the tractor was blown off after being hit by the aircraft.

UNI XC JN VD KP1950