Navy’s MiG-29K develops technical snag off Goa, pilot ejects safely

The pilot is reported to be in stable condition, a spokesperson for the Navy said. A board of inquiry (BoI) has been ordered to investigate the incident.

Goa: A MiG-29K aircraft of the Indian Navy on a routine sortie off the Goan coast developed a technical malfunction while returning to base on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the Navy said. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft and was later found following a search and rescue operation.

The pilot is reported to be in stable condition, the spokesperson added. A board of inquiry (BoI) has been ordered to investigate the cause of the incident.

After the snag was noticed, the pilot reported the issue to the air traffic controller (ATC) and an advance light helicopter (ALH) was sent from the naval air base in Goa for rescue, the authorities said.

MiG-29K fighter planes are based on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, and also operate from Dabolim airport in Goa. The Indian Navy has a fleet of around 40 MiG-29K jets.

In November 2020, a MiG-29K trainer aircraft crashed into the Arabian Sea, killing a fighter pilot. In November 2019, another MiG-29K trainer aircraft of the Navy crashed near a village in Goa, but the pilots were able to eject safely.