The Navy jet was hit by a bird on the right engine causing a fire
NEW DELHI| On Saturday Indian Navy Jet MiG-29K fighter crashed shortly after it took off on a training mission from Goa’s Dabolim. The pilots Captain M Sheokhand and Lieutenant Commander Deepak Yadav managed to eject safely and have both been recovered.
Indian Navy Sources: A MiG-29K fighter aircraft crashed in Goa soon after it took off for a training mission. Both the pilots have managed to eject safely. The aircraft involved in the crash was a trainer version of the fighter jet. pic.twitter.com/nMWPYOeUFN
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2019
According to Commander Vivek Madhwal, a Navy spokesperson, the plane, a trainer version of the fighter, suffered an engine fire.
#UPDATE Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal: The MiG-29K trainer aircraft suffered an engine fire. The pilots Captain M Sheokhand and Lt Commander Deepak Yadav ejected safely. https://t.co/ArPwXBw8Kk
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2019
The naval fighter jet’s external fuel tank was inadvertently jettisoned during take-off and caused a fire on the runway. Fighter jets often carry fuel tanks that can be detached as permission requirements.