2019 Indian Air Force An-32 crash
| Industry | Military aviation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | India |
| Products | Military aircraft operations |
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On 3 June 2019, an Antonov An-32 twin-engine turboprop transport plane operated by the Indian Air Force vanished from radar approximately 33 minutes after departing from Jorhat Airport in Assam, bound for Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. The flight carried 13 individuals. Following an extensive search lasting a week, the aircraft debris was discovered near Pari hills adjacent to Gatte village in Arunachal Pradesh, situated at an altitude of around 12,000 feet (3,700 m), with no survivors found.
The Indian Air Force has encountered comparable accidents previously, notably involving Antonov An-32 aircraft in incidents during 1986 and 2016.
Passengers
A total of 13 personnel belonging to the Indian Air Force were on board, comprising eight crew members alongside five passengers.[1][2][3] There were no survivors from the crash.[4]
Search operation
The Antonov An-32 twin-engine turboprop transport plane was flying from Jorhat Airport in Assam to Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh on 3 June 2019. The aircraft departed Jorhat at 12:27 pm IST and lost communication with ground control approximately 33 minutes later, at 1 pm IST.[1][3]
Following an eight-day search effort hampered by adverse weather conditions, the aircraft wreckage was located on 11 June 2019 near Pari hills, close to Gatte village, situated around 16 kilometres (9.9 mi; 8.6 nmi) north of Lipo in Arunachal Pradesh, at an altitude of about 12,000 feet (3,700 m).[4][5] Prior to this discovery, the Indian Air Force had announced a reward of Template:INRConvert for any information regarding the aircraft's whereabouts.[6]
The search operation involved multiple assets including Sukhoi-30, C-130J, and An-32 aircraft, alongside Mi-17 and ALH helicopters. Ground forces from the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and state police units also participated. Additionally, the Indian Navy deployed its P-8I Neptune aircraft on 4 June 2019. Satellite imagery from the ISRO, utilizing both Cartosat and RISAT satellites, supported the search.[7][8]
On 12 June 2019, a rescue team consisting of 15 personnel was airdropped close to the crash location; however, challenging terrain and inclement weather prevented them from reaching the site.[9] The following day, the team arrived at the crash site, confirming that there were no survivors and successfully retrieving the aircraft's flight recorders.[1][10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Berlinger, Joshua (6 June 2019). "Indian military plane vanishes mid-flight". CNN. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ↑ "Indian air force finds wreckage of missing plane". Reuters. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Goodbye bravehearts: Nation bids farewell to 13 IAF personnel killed in An-32 crash". India Today. Ist. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "AN-32 crash: no survivors, all 13 people on board dead, IAF says". The Times of India. Ist. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ↑ "Missing An-32: Wreckage of aircraft found in Arunachal after 8 days, confirms Air Force". India Today. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ↑ "Air Force announces Rs 5 lakh reward for information on missing AN-32 aircraft". India Today. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ↑ "Indian Air Force AN-32 Aircraft Crash" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Rescue Operation Begins at Crash Site of IAF's AN-32, Mi17s, Advanced Helicopters Being Used". News18. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ↑ Bhalla, Abhishek (12 June 2019). "An-32 aircraft wreckage: Rescue teams face inclement weather, to camp overnight in Arunachal jungles near crash site". India Today. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ↑ "IAF team recovers An-32 black box from crash site". India Today. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
External links
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