61 crashes in five years kill 30 IAF pilots

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) A total of 61 Indian Air Force aircraft have crashed during the last five years with 30 pilots losing their lives in the incidents, the government said today.

The main reasons behind the crashes were human error and technical defects, Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Rajya Sabha through a written reply.

A total of 30 pilots have lost lives in the air crashes during financial years 2003-04 to 2007-08.

''A continuous and multi-faceted effort is always underway in the IAF to enhance and upgrade flight safety'', the minister stressed.

Measures to enhance the quality of training to improve the skill levels, ability to exercise sound judgment and situational awareness of pilots are being pursued, he said.

Constant interaction with original equipment manufacturers, both indigenous and foreign, is also maintained to overcome the technical defects of aircraft he said adding that anti-bird hit measures were also undertaken.

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