MiG-29k Crashes Over Sea Off Goa, Pilot Ejects Safely

A MiG 29K fighter plane crashed over the sea during a routine flight off the coast of Goa on Wednesday. According to the Indian Navy, the incident occurred due to a technical problem during the aircraft's return to base. The pilot safely ejected and was retrieved after a quick search and rescue operation.

Indian Navy tweeted, “A MiG 29K on a routine sortie over the sea off Goa developed a technical malfunction while returning to base. The pilot ejected safely & has been recovered in a swift SAR ops. The pilot reported to be in stable condition. BoI ordered to investigate the cause of the incident.”

The Indian Navy is the world's only operator of the MiG-29K fighter aircraft bought from Russia.

The MiG-29Ks' safety record has not been good. However, the force is considering to acquire 25 to 26 MiG 29 fighter aircraft for operations from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was recently commissioned in Kochi by PM Narendra Modi. 

The MiG 29s are stationed at the naval base INS Hansa near Goa.

Nishant Singh, an Indian Navy pilot, died in the Arabian Sea in 2020 after his MiG-29K crashed. Prior to this, two MiG 29 crashed on 23 February 2020 and 16 November 2019.