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New Delhi : No air-warrior survived the crash of an IAF AN-32. Air-warriors, who lost their lives in the tragic crash, were : Wing Commander GM Charles, Squadron Leader H Vinod, Flight Lieutenant MK Garg, Flight Lieutenant S Mohanty, Flight Lieutenant A Tanwar, Flight Lieutenant R Thapa, Warrant Officer K K Mishra, Sergeant Anoop Kumar,  Corporal Sherin, Leading Aircraftman S K Singh, Leading Aircraftman Pankaj, NC(E) Putali and NC(E) Rajesh Kumar.

The IAF paid tribute to the brave air-warriors who lost their life in the line of duty. IAF is making all efforts to recover their mortal remains. No effort is being spared in ensuring expeditious transfer of the mortal remains of the air-warriors to their parent base at Jorhat. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of accident.

On June 3, 2019,  an IAF AN-32 carrier aircraft with 13 people (eight aircrew and five passengers) onboard took off from Air Force Station, Jorhat Assam at 12.27 hrs for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground. Last contact with the aircraft was made at
12.55 hrs. Once the aircraft did not report at the destination, overdue actions were initiated.

In coordination with Indian Army, various government and civil agencies, IAF commenced extensive search operations under the direct supervision of Head Quarters Eastern Air Command. C-130J, AN-32, Mi-17 helicopters of IAF and ALH helicopters of Indian Army were launched immediately to locate the missing aircraft. Indian Navy P-8i aircraft joined the search operations on June 4, 2019. Resources from various agencies, including ISRO were brought into the operation to enhance its effectiveness.

CARTOSAT and RISAT satellites of ISRO also took images of the area, which assisted the search team in locating the aircraft. Thick vegetation, in hospitable terrain and inclement weather adversely affected the aerial search operation in the vast search zone. Despite the challenges posed by poor weather and terrain, IAF remained committed to the continued air and ground efforts throughout day and night to locate the missing aircraft and its brave air-warriors. Extensive support towards rescue operation was provided by Indian Army, Indian Navy, State Government, State Police and Local population.

On June 11, 2019, the wreckage of the aircraft was spotted 16 kms North of Lipo, North East of Tato, Arunachal Pradesh, at an approximate elevation of 12,000 ft by an IAF Mi-17 helicopter. Aerial operations were launched subsequently to the designated crash site. However, due to steep slope and thick forest, the helicopter could not land near the crash site. Two km from the designated crash site, an area was designated and a camp was established for helicopters to land with the recovery parties. On  June 12, 2019, a team of nine IAF personnel (including mountaineers), four Army Special Forces personnel and two local mountaineers were dropped at the campsite.

On  June 13, eight members of the rescue team reached the crash site in search of the survivors. Unfortunately, no air-warrior survived the crash, according to a PIB release.

 

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