Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that a Sukhoi crashed in Rajasthan recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the crash;

(c) the year-wise details of the number of various types of fighter aircrafts including Sukhoi 30, MIG series and helicopters of the Indian Air Force involved in accidents / crashes over the last 4 years;

(d) the details, injuries (Defence personnel, pilots and civilians) and financial losses caused due to the above accidents; and

(e) whether Government is aware of the reasons for each of these crash and the measures taken by Government?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a)&(b):A Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed at Pokharan range, Jaisalmer, on 19.2.2013 while participating in EX-IRON FIST 2013. Both pilots ejected safety over Pokharan range. No civilian was killed or injured in the crash. Reason for the crash was Technical defect.

(c)Year-wise details of the number of various types of fighter aircraft, including Sukhoi 30 and MIG series, and helicopters of the IAF involved in accidents / crashes during the last 4 years (2008-09 to 2011-12) and current year 2012-13 (up to 12.3.2013) is at Appendix-A.

(d) In the above accidents, a total of 17 pilots and 18 Service personnel were killed. Also, 6 civilians were killed and 25 injured. Financial loss caused to the Government in the above accidents pertains to loss of Service aircraft / property and compensation paid for loss of lives / injuries and civilian property damaged.

(e)Major reasons for the above aircraft accidents are Technical Defect and Human Error. Every IAF aircraft accident is thoroughly investigated by a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to ascertain the cause of accident and remedial measures are taken accordingly to check their recurrence in future. IAF has taken various initiatives relating to invigoration of aviation safety organization, analytical studies and quality audits of the aircraft fleets to identify vulnerable areas and institute remedial measures to reduce aircraft accidents, including establishment of Ornithology cell for bird surveys at flying bases. All flying bases have been visited by senior Aerospace Safety personnel of the IAF to apprise the operating units suitably and get views for enhancing aviation safety. Accident prevention programmes have been revitalized, including steps to train pilots to prevent accidents due to human error which includes increased use of simulators. Aviation Psychology and Aerospace Safety capsules have been introduced in the ab initio training programme.Sl. No. Year Number of accidents of IAF fighter aircraft and helicopters

Fighter aircraft Helicopters Total

Miscellaneous

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