IAF AN-32 Catches Fire After Landing at Assam Airbase; 5 Airmen Killed

Guwahati, June 13 (IANS) – An AN-32 transport aircraft accident killed at least five IAF personnel after the plane burst into flames during landing at Assam’s Jorhat airbase on Saturday, defence officials confirmed.

The IAF stated that the incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. after the aircraft touched down at the Jorhat Air Force Station. The plane burst into flames shortly after landing, which triggered an immediate emergency response from Air Force and airport firefighting teams.

“An IAF AN-32 aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie today at approximately 1000h at Jorhat, Assam. Crash site management and initial enquiries are on at this time. IAF requests everyone to refrain from speculation till preliminary results are not in,” the IAF said in a statement.

Defence officials later confirmed that five people lost their lives in the tragedy. Officials have not yet released the identities of the deceased. Authorities still await further details regarding the exact circumstances that led to the crash.

The IAF expressed deep condolences over the tragedy, stating: “IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief.”

Air Force authorities expect to order a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Technical experts and military officials are currently examining the crash site as initial enquiries continue.

The Soviet-origin AN-32, a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft, has served as a key workhorse for the IAF for decades. It frequently navigates difficult terrains and high-altitude sectors across the Northeast and along the Himalayan frontier.

However, this fatal incident once again highlights the aircraft’s troubled operational history.

History of AN-32 Crashes

• June 2019: An IAF AN-32 carrying 13 personnel vanished after taking off from the Jorhat Air Force Station for Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. Following an extensive search operation, teams located the wreckage in the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. The crash killed all 13 personnel on board.
• July 2016: Another AN-32 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal while flying from Chennai to Port Blair with 29 personnel on board. Despite launching one of India’s largest search operations, authorities failed to locate the aircraft for years and presumed everyone dead. Search teams finally identified debris from the aircraft in 2024.

The AN-32 fleet has suffered several other accidents over the years, including various crashes in Arunachal Pradesh and operational mishaps at military airfields.