Sukhoi fighter jet crashes near Pune, both pilots safe

A Sukhoi fighter plane used for the training purpose crashed at Kolwadi near Pune in the Tuesday evening. Both the pilots of the plane escaped unhurt. The Air Force officials have not given any reason behind the crash. The plane took off from the Lohegaon air base in Pune on regular practice sorty. The jet came down on a grassy patch of land near village. There were no casualties or damage to any property on the ground either, the police said.

According to locals, the place came down in Kolwadi near Theur village, about 25 kms from Pune. Both the pilots left the plane by jumping with the help of parachute. Top Air Force and police officials rushed to the spot from where the pilots who ejected in time were taken to safety, the police said.  

No details about the crash and possible reason for it were released by the Southern Command office in Pune. A similar crash involving Sukhoi 30 had occurred near Pune about two years ago. The IAF base here has a squadron of Sukhoi fighter jets.

Photographs: Yogesh Jadhav

With inputs from PTI