An Indian Air Force transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat Air Base in northeastern India on Saturday, June 13, the military said, adding that no casualty figures were immediately available. The aircraft was identified as an Antonov AN-32, a Russian-made twin-engine military transport plane used by the Indian Air Force for a wide range of logistics and transport missions.
In a brief statement, the Indian Air Force said the AN-32 “met with an accident” as it was landing at Jorhat and that an inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause of the crash. The military did not immediately disclose how many people were on board, whether anyone was injured, or the extent of damage caused by the accident.
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Indian media outlets broadcast images showing thick plumes of black smoke rising above the air base shortly after the incident. Later footage showed the aircraft’s broken fuselage surrounded by uniformed personnel at the scene. The visuals indicated that the plane suffered severe damage upon impact during landing.
The crash comes years after a similar accident involving an AN-32 from the same Jorhat base. In 2019, another aircraft of the same type crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, near the Chinese border, killing all 13 passengers and crew members on board. That earlier incident raised concerns about the safety of the aging fleet still in service.
The Indian Air Force operates around 100 AN-32 aircraft, according to the report. These aircraft have long played an important role in carrying out transport duties, particularly in remote and difficult-to-reach regions. However, the fleet consists of older planes that have remained in service for many years, making maintenance and safety a continuing concern.
Saturday’s crash adds to scrutiny over military aviation safety in India, especially involving older transport aircraft used in demanding operational environments. The Indian Air Force has not yet said whether the aircraft was carrying cargo, personnel, or both, and officials have not provided further details about the condition of the runway or weather conditions at the time of the landing.
An official investigation is now underway to establish what led to the accident. Further information is expected once the inquiry progresses and authorities assess the wreckage, flight conditions, and any mechanical or operational factors that may have contributed to the crash.
