India’s French-made supersonic fighter jet crashes during test flight, both pilots killed (VIDEOS)
An Indian Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000 jet fighter crashed during a test flight at an airfield in Bangalore on Friday. Both pilots were killed after ejecting, the military confirmed.
The incident occurred at 10:30am local time at HAL Airport in Bangalore, the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state. The military said that a Mirage 2000 jet fighter was embarking on a test flight after undergoing an upgrade when it crashed during the takeoff.
Both pilots managed to eject but were killed during the crash, NDTV reported citing military officials.
Videos, purportedly filmed at the scene, show flames and clouds of smoke near the airfield. Helicopters can be seen flying above the crash site.
A jet crashed at HAL airport. Initial reports are that it's a IAF Mirage. HAL yet to confirm. Happened just few minutes back. pic.twitter.com/RddiZEZ4I0
— Nagarjun Dwarakanath (@nagarjund) February 1, 2019
IAF Mirage crashed during its takeoff run. Both pilots ejected. There are casualties. pic.twitter.com/8CeXrSFlSC
— Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) February 1, 2019
The Indian Air Force has a fleet of around 50 French-made Mirage 2000 warplanes, which have been undergoing upgrades since the early-2010s.
Wreckage of Mirage 2000 fighter jet which crashed in Bengaluru. One pilot is dead. The other is critical. pic.twitter.com/vmmlTtNDTC
— Anna Isaac (@anna_isaac) February 1, 2019
#IAF#mirage2000 crashes near #HAL in Bangalore. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/w6SEfe3oUm
— Mugilan Chandrakumar (@Mugilan__C) 1 февраля 2019 г.
The authorities have launched a probe into the crash.
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