For the IAF, May [2000] is the cruellest month

By Srinjoy Chowdhury

May was one of the cruellest months for Indian Air Force pilots. Between 6 May and 23 May [2000], the IAF lost eight aircraft. On two occasions, it lost two planes on the same day.

The losses between 13 April and 12 June [2000] make for sad reading. During this period, the IAF lost four MiG-21s — the old workhorse. The planes crashed at Sirsa, Ambala, Nal and Jaisalmer on 13 April, 6 May, 13 May and 23 May. The IAF also lost two MiG-23, the ground attack aircraft, at Halwara on 25 April and 10 May. A MiG-27, which is similar to the MiG-23, went down at Kalaikunda on 12 June. Besides, the Air Force Academy lost an HPT-32 plane in May, a Kiran jet trainer crashed later that month at Bidar, and two Cheetah helicopters went down at Sarsawa on 17 May.

The high number of MiG crashes is perhaps not very surprising. Between 1990 and 1997, the average accident rates of the MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 was the highest in the air force. Accident rates are based on the number of aircraft accidents in 10,000 flying hours and the MiG-27 accident rate was the highest at 2.86. The MiG-23 follows at 2.71 with the MiG-21 close behind at 2.37.

Compared to these, the MiG-29, the Jaguar, the Mirage-2000 and the Sukhoi-30 (a recent addition) fare better. The MiG-29’s accident rate was 1.23 per 100,000 flying hours while the Jaguar’s was 1.67 and the Mirage-2000’s was 0.50. There has been no Sukhoi-30 crash so far. The IAF is tight-lipped about its accident rate, but officials said the early June rate was around 1.70-1.80 for the air force.

But why are there so many MiG crashes? An official says that comparatively younger and inexperienced pilots fly the MiG. “The best pilots are chosen for the top-of-the-line aircraft and comparatively less experienced pilots fly the MiG-21 which in any case is ready for a refit,” another official said. “Maybe, more care and better training is needed.”

The MiG-21 is several decades old and 120 of them are ready for refitting, but the project has been badly delayed.

The official’s statement tallies with the air chief, Air Marshal AY Tipnis’ remarks exactly a year ago. “MiG-21 accidents involving young pilots indicate inadequate involvement of flying supervisors and breach of orders and instructions,” the air chief said in a note to his senior commanders.

Altogether five MiG-21s were lost between June and August last year and the chief had warned that warplanes needed to be preserved for future conflict.

Courtesy: Statesman News Service (1 July 2000), New Delhi.