IAF MiG-21 fighter jet crashes in Jaisalmer, pilot dead

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An Indian Air Force fighter plane crashed in Jaisalmer late on December 24, a senior police officer said. Wing Commander Harshit Sinha was killed in the crash, the IAF has confirmed.

The pilot, Wing Commander Harshit Sinha, could reportedly not eject safely; his body has been recovered.

The plane crashed in the Desert National Park area in Sudasiri village under the Sam police station, which is close to the India-Pakistan border, Jaisalmer SP Ajay Singh told news agency PTI.

The IAF confirmed the news on social media and said in a tweet: "This evening, around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. Further details are awaited. An inquiry is being ordered."

With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 24, 2021

The MiG-21 has been dubbed the “flying coffin” and several Migs have crashed this year alone. The December 24 MiG-21 crash is reportedly the fifth one to crash in 2021.