PTI, KUTCH (GUJARAT): An Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Gujarat’s Kutch district soon after it took off from the Jamnagar air base today, killing a senior officer who was piloting the aircraft, a defence spokesperson said.
Air Commodore Sanjai Chauhan, a recipient of the Vayu Sena Medal and the Air Officer Commanding of Jamnagar Air Force Station, who was flying the deep penetration Jaguar fighter jet, died when the plane crashed in a field in Bareja village.
The jet was on a routine training mission when it crashed.
Chauhan, commissioned in fighter stream of the IAF on December 16, 1989, was a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and Experimental Test Pilot with over 3,800 hours of service flying, officials said.
“The Jaguar aircraft, on a routine training mission from Jamnagar, crashed at around 10.30 am near Bareja village,” said defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha.
“Air Commodore Sanjai Chauhan sustained fatal injuries in the crash,” he said.
Chauhan, aged around 50, was a decorated and highly experienced fighter pilot.
“During his service, Chauhan had held several important posts such as the Commanding Officer of the Test Pilots’ School. He also commanded a fighter squadron of the IAF,” said one of the officials.
“He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2010,” he said.
“He was an ace fighter pilot with a vast flying experience and had flown 17 types of aircraft of the IAF including Jaguar, Mig-21, Hunter, HPT-32, Iskara, Kiran, Avro-748, AN-32 and Boeing 737,” he said.
