5 IAF Personnel Killed as Transport Plane Crashes in Assam

An IAF AN-32 transport aircraft has crashed and caught fire during landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam. Emergency teams are at the scene.

JORHAT, ASSAM — Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel have been killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam. The aircraft burst into flames during landing and broke into two pieces.

Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the airbase, visible from several kilometres away.

Emergency rescue teams and fire tenders rushed to the scene to extinguish the blaze and secure the area.

Aircraft Splits in Two During Landing
According to initial reports, the IAF cargo plane met with the accident whilst attempting to land. A fire broke out onboard during the touchdown phase, causing the situation to deteriorate rapidly.
The aircraft subsequently crashed within the airbase perimeter and split into two pieces, highlighting the severity of the impact.

Emergency Services Mobilised at Jorhat Airbase
Immediately following the crash, fire engines, emergency response teams, and senior Air Force officials arrived at the site. Firefighting operations were launched to bring the inferno under control, and the entire area has been cordoned off.
For safety and security reasons, all operations at the Jorhat airbase have been temporarily suspended.
The AN-32: A Workhorse of the IAFThe crashed aircraft, an AN-32 transport plane, is considered a vital asset in the Indian Air Force's fleet.

Key Features of the AN-32:
Payload Capacity: Capable of carrying between 6 to 7 tonnes of cargo.
Troop Transport: Designed to transport approximately 40 to 50 personnel simultaneously.
Operational Performance: Highly efficient in hot weather conditions and high-altitude regions.
Fleet Size: The IAF operates a fleet of around 100 such aircraft.
Specialised Design: Engineered specifically for operations in rugged and challenging environments.

Investigation Underway
The official cause of the accident has not yet been confirmed, and the Indian Air Force has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the incident. An IAF inquiry team is investigating all potential factors, including technical malfunctions, prevailing weather conditions, and other operational variables. The precise cause will only be determined once the official report is finalised.