SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) experienced a concerning number of accidents during the Thirteenth Defence Plan period. This period, spanning several years, witnessed a significant number of aircraft mishaps, raising concerns about air safety and operational readiness.
The data reveals a consistent number of accidents throughout the period, with fluctuations from year to year. A diverse range of aircraft, including fighters (MiG-21, MiG-27, Su-30, Jaguar), trainers (Kiran, Hawk), helicopters (Mi-17, ALH), and transport aircraft (AN-32), were involved in these incidents. A significant portion of the accidents were attributed to “Human Error” (both aircrew and servicing personnel). Technical defects and Foreign Object Damage (FOD) also contributed significantly.
Overview of Accidents
| Year | Number of Accidents |
|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 8 |
| 2018-19 | 11 |
| 2019-20 | 3 |
| 2020-21 | 3 |
| 2021-22 | 9 |
A significant portion of the IAF’s fleet comprises aging aircraft, particularly the MiG-21, which has a notorious safety record. These older aircraft are prone to technical malfunctions and require significant maintenance, increasing the risk of accidents.
Human error, both in terms of aircrew decisions and maintenance procedures, remains a major contributor to accidents. This emphasizes the need for rigorous training, enhanced safety protocols, and improved human-machine interface in modern aircraft.
2017-18
- MiG-21 (10.05.2017): FOD
- Su-30 (23.05.2017): Technical Defect (TD)
- ALH (04.07.2017): HE ( Human Error Aircrew)
- MiG-23 (06.07.2017): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
- Kiran (28.09.2017): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
2018-19
- Jaguar (05.06.2018): Technical Defect (TD)
- MiG-21 (18.07.2018): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
- MiG-27 (04.09.2018): HE (Human Error Servicing)
- Hawk (19.02.2019): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
2019-20
- AN-32 (03.06.2019): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
- MiG-29 (08.05.2020): Technical Defect (TD)
2020-21
- MiG-21 (05.01.2021): Technical Defect (TD)
- MiG-21 (17.03.2021): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
2021-22
- Mirage-2000 (21.10.2021): Under Investigation
- MiG-21 (24.12.2021): HE (Human Error Aircrew)
The list continues through the subsequent years with similar patterns of human error, technical defects, and some unique causes like bird strikes and foreign object damage. Each incident is a lesson in operational safety, demanding thorough investigations, improved training, enhanced maintenance procedures, and potentially, fleet modernization to reduce the accident rate.