IAF grounds Su-30MKI fleet for mandatory checks
02 Dec 2009
New Delhi: In line with standard procedure, the Indian Air Force has grounded its entire Sukhoi-30MKI fleet for "precautionary checks'' after one of these fighter jets crashed in Rajasthan on Monday. It has asked Russian and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) authorities to investigate the crash.
The aircraft was manufactured by HAL.
Defence sources said both the crew, Wing Commander Srivastava and Flight Lieutenant Arora, safely ejected from the fighter. The crew ejected after fire alarms went off in the cockpit.
The aircraft was involved in fire-power exercises at the air force firing range at Pokhran.
"Preliminary indications are that it was caused due to a technical defect. The pilots ejected after they saw fire alarm buttons glowing red... Probably the engines were on fire,'' said a source.
"The airframe and systems of the entire fleet will undergo a thorough inspection before they are allowed to take to the skies again,'' he added.
