MiG-27 crashes, IAF loses year's 6th

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force lost its sixth jet when a MiG-27 crashed in Jarohi village of West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on Thursday.

The pilot of the jet ejected safely and there were no reports of any property damage.

Police officials in Jailpaiguri said the pilot had injured his leg while ejecting from the aircraft and was taken to the Hasimara airbase hospital.

The plane caught fire after hitting the ground.

The IAF spokesman said there were no reports of casualties or damage to property on the ground though local police officials said a girl fell unconscious due to loud sound of the crash and was taken to Alipurduar hospital.

MiG-27 is a Russian-designed fighter bomber and has a history of engine problems.

This is the sixth IAF plane crash this year and the fifth involving a MiG. On Spetember 28, a MiG-29 crashed into the paddy fields in Sadhopur village, near Ambala in Haryana.

The cause of the crash was said to be the failure of both engines.

Four MiG aircraft including two MiG-21s and two MiG-29s are among the six jets that crashed this year.

Another MiG-29 crashed near Jamnagar in Gujarat in June. The IAF lost eight jets last year.