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MiG-21 Crash: India's 'Flying Coffin' crashes again killing 2 pilots, Image Gallery - IN PICS

MiG-21 Bison crash: An Indian Air Force's MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in the Bhimda village of Barmer District, Rajasthan on July 28 night, killing both the pilots. Here's a look at the jet often called 'Flying Coffin' and 'Widow Maker'.

 

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

An Indian Air Force MiG-21 trainer fighter jet crashed in Rajasthan on July 28 night, killing two pilots Wing Commander M Rana and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal. 

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

This is not the first crash involving the MiG-21 fighter jets and it is often called ‘Flying Coffin’ and ‘Widow Maker’ for the sheer number of crashes it has suffered over the years, killing many pilots of the IAF.

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

In 2012, former Defence Minister AK Antony said in Parliament that more than half of the 872 MiG aircraft purchased from Russia had crashed. Due to which, more than 200 persons, including 171 pilots, 39 civilians, and eight other services’ people, had lost their lives.

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

The MiG-21 Bison is the first supersonic jet aircraft in the aviation history and also the most sold fighter jet in the world. While it’s more than 60 years old, the MiG-21 is still in service with the Indian Air Force with four active squadrons and has been updated to match generation 3 fighter jets.

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

With recent crash, the Indian Air Force has announced plans to retire another squadron of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft called the 51 Squadron based out of Srinagar air base which will retire on September 30. After this, only three squadrons of the planes would be left in service and would be phased out by the year 2025.

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

The HAL Tejas LCA was conceptualized to replace the ageing Soviet sourced MiG-21. IAF has placed an order of 40 Tejas Mk 1, including 32 single-seat aircraft and eight twin-seat trainers.

MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jet

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MiG-21 Bison

In 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was flying a MiG-21 Bison chasing a Pakistan Air Force's F-16 fighter jet. In the following dogfight, Abhinandan shot down a much advanced and modern F-16 before his aircraft crashed inside POK and he was captured by Pakistani authorities.

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