Kolkata: An AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) had an accident at Bagdogra airport in West Bengal on Friday. Thankfully, all crew members are safe, and recovery efforts are underway.
The cause of the accident is still unclear, but officials are keeping a close eye on the situation. The AN-32, a sturdy aircraft of Russian design, is widely used by the IAF for transport missions.
In a separate incident on the same day, a Jaguar fighter jet from the IAF crashed near Baldwala village in Panchkula, Haryana. Luckily, the pilot ejected safely and landed using a parachute. The IAF has launched an inquiry to investigate this incident as well.
According to an IAF statement, the Jaguar had taken off from the Ambala airbase for a training flight. The pilot’s safe ejection was a fortunate outcome in an otherwise dangerous situation.
Now, what exactly is the AN-32? This aircraft is a turbo-propeller, twin-engine transport plane that has been in military service since 1976. Its first flight took place that same year, and it was showcased at the Paris Air Show in 1977. The AN-32 was produced between 1980 and 2012 and remains operational because of its ability to handle rough weather conditions effectively.
As the fourth generation of the Antonov family, the AN-32 follows earlier models like the An-24, An-30, and An-26, continuing a legacy of reliable transport solutions for the IAF.
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