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| HEADLINES TODAY PHOTO |
An IAF C-130J Super Hercules, one of six aircraft inducted three years ago, crashed today in Central India. There were no survivors. The aircraft took off from Agra at 10am and crashed about 72 miles west of the Gwalior Air Force station, one of the IAF’s largest. A court of inquiry has been ordered. The aircraft belonged to the 77 Squadron based at Hindon.
1. Wg Cdr Prashant Joshi – Captain
2. Wg Cdr Raji Nair – Co-pilot
3. Sq Ldr Kaushik Mishra – Trainee pilot
4. Sq Ldr Ashish Yadav – Navigator
5. Warrant Officer Krishna Pal Singh – Systems Operator
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said, “It is very unfortunate that we have lost five of our brave warriors in a tragic accident today. It is a sad moment for all of us and we share the grief with the family members. C-130J is a modern aircraft which was inducted into the IAF in 2010. In the last three years of its operations we have exploited capabilities of this aircraft during Uttarakhand floods and landing at DBO, which is the highest landing ground in the world. Needless to say, that the best pilots have been chosen to fly these aircraft. Events like these are painful reminders of the inherent risks which our brave airwarriors face in the execution of our daily mission. While the IAF will conduct a thorough enquiry into the accident to ascertain exactly what led to this accident, the IAF remains committed to provide the best possible equipment and training to our personnel so that they can execute their assigned missions professionally.”
Lockheed-Martin has issued this statement: “We are saddened to hear the news of the C-130J accident in India today and our thoughts and prayers are with the crew and their families at this time. We are ready to provide assistance as requested by the Indian Air Force.”
God knows what is happening to Indian Armed Forces. We are losing assets with such regularity as if we are at WAR. All the three wings should do some introspection and set things right. Appoint someone from the armed forces as the Defence Minister. Remember your earlier post wherein you posted in verbatim the letter of Air Chief which was addressed to all air staff in which he said that we have to get rid of Chalega Attitude. Not only the morale gets hit but also the self belief of all the personnel being involved.
Unbelievable… this is surreal man. This year has really started on a bad note!
When do you think our tanks will start blowing up??
What else do you expect from an Air-force who has its chiefs accused in bribery scams ??
How come an accident is related to corruption???
That is uncalled for. Accidents do happen. Saddened by the loss of precious lives; experienced and well trained ones at that.
Is it some kind of conspiracy or subbotage?
Couple of submarines and now this happened.
Cyber hijack … sabotage ?
This is a low level training flight that went grossly wrong.
PILOT ERROR… this aircraft can't crash unless it is shot down. After the Navy, its the IAF at it. They have pranged SU-30MKIs in proven pilot-error mishaps and now this.
One of the newscasters mentioned the low-level flight part and it makes sense as these C-130Js were custom outfitted for special operations. The rank-wise crew composition is bizarre – two Wing Commanders and two Squadron Leaders and a Warrant Officer. Clearly it was one lot of pilots training another, or may be just that one or two of the officers had hitched a ride to Gwalior.
Were they on a joy ride? How come only IAF has the ability to crash such advanced aircrafts? On the one hand congis are looting the nation with no accountability and defence forces are squandering the hard earned tax payer money. Antony will not resign still.
Your lack of common sense is worth complimenting
Rolls Royce engines again
Lets not waste any more taxpayers money on such lavish planes.
Indian airforce pilots clearly lack the metal that is required to fly high end machinery.
I am sure IAF wont blame this to HAL for poor quality now ?
IAF pilots clearly lack the selfishness and succumb to this web of a political mess while lobbyists indulge in monetary debauchery. Oh yes, they are at fault.
Sure buddy only you have the metal to sit on your house and show your metal and competancy. Sad that our armed forces have to give their lives for the sake of self serving people like you. After all as a tax payer, I am sure you don't spare any efforts to avoid paying the full tax either.
Oh my God! These planes were 100-150 million each. On top, they are best special operations in the world. Pakis can only dream about it.
How in the hell they can crash it? Are they using simulator training? Or is IAF competing with Navy now?
What horror!!!
Horrific news!!!
We are already short of critical equipments and we are crashing such expensive equipments. Insane!
Pakistan have been using c-130 for last 30 years you Moran. You idiots only have the money but not the brains to fly such planes.
Glad no one replied to this post . Sensible not to waste time with barking of street dogs. Afterall that is the only thing that makes them feel important 🙂
Too many of such accidents can point to only one direction – sabotage. How come suddenly Indian Air Force and Indian Navy become so sloppy that they sink a submarine, cause damages to ships, crash a C-130J?
Other could be faulty and crappy maintenance but then HAL does not maintain submarines.
To all you shallow people. You seem to have forgotten that they (the crew of the plane) were doing all this for you!
So that you can live your lives the way you do!
Weak and corrupt government is avoiding sabotage view.
It can be any countries external Intelligence agency.
Recently i saw India's extenal debt on website of Ministry Of Finance :
http://finmin.nic.in/reports/ind_ext_debt.asp
during NDA 1999 – 2004 it was slowly decreasing but in last 10 years it has grown from US$ 125 Billion to US$ 426.0 Billion
should be checked money comes to India or where it goes
The people who clear the PABT during selection have usually practised on it hundreds of times in coaching institutes around the country. Whereas a candidate is supposed to know nothing about the test and clear it in one go, as it used to happen during the old days. As a result sub-standard pilots are being selected to fly high performance machines.
Some more crashes are to be expected in the near future.
All these years IAF was flying the Russian junks, now they are dealing with sophisticated US technology. IAF morons don't have the capacity to absorb it. It's better they keep flying the Russian junks.
RIP !!!! Brothers!!!
Seems the IAF does not deserve to fly such advanced planes.They deserve only the russian class planes or the old MIG's.Indian workers like in animal like conditions in the gulf and earn foreign exchange & the armed forces (specially the top brass) squander away this money as if it is their eternal right.The recent corruption cases have put a big question mark on the professionalism of the forces & such accidents do not come as a surprise.
First off, condolences to the crew and their family. They are bravehearts who deserve our gratitude.
The C130J is an extremely capable craft, with the ability to flow low, and under tough conditions. One clew that emerged in early reports is that it went down head first, which may suggest a stall.
I think that the defense establishment has to cultivate a culture of safety which includes maintenance, but also focus on the real possibility of sabotage.
It is truly a very disappointing day..
If any of the family members of those died in crash see these comments..plz ignore them..majority of them are not Indians..names may sound Indian like..as no Indian will forget landing at Daulat Baig Oldie last year which shocked the manufacturer and US Air force….Also..no Indian will talk of cost of aircraft when even cremation of deads has not taken place…Also..who has informed them of pilot error…sabotage or technical failure..even prelim investigation is under progress…My condolences
Very sad ! Really we are lagging some where ! Is it maintenance or something else. It is not a single engine aircraft. It can fly with two engines cut off. Still there is an accident. This plane is almost non destructible ! Most of the losses are due to enemy fire ! This plane is brand new, still we are loosing it. Very sad day for all Indians.
If any of the family members of those died in crash see these comments..plz ignore them..majority of them are not Indians..names may sound Indian like..as no Indian will forget landing at Daulat Baig Oldie last year which shocked the manufacturer and US Air force….Also..no Indian will talk of cost of aircraft when even cremation of deads has not taken place…Also..who has informed them of pilot error…sabotage or technical failure..even prelim investigation is under progress…My condolences
There seems to be a Paki here on the forum, posting against IAF pilots.
Tell him to go and die in FATA.
We don't need his comments.
Condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased. A word to the insensitive JACKASSES in here commenting inane dribble, without knowing the full picture. To quip their gobs off without knowing what actually happened seems to a passion on these comment forums. The questioning of the professional integrity and the calibre of pilots, just after the incident, proves the crass and little minded mindset of the majority here. These Pilots are of the highest calibre. If you think you are better, why aren't you a pilot? it's simple…. we all were not good enough and should not resort to mudsling on their memory and names in here. Please have the dignity to respect them for what they were and how much they sacrificed, so that we, may enjoy our simple pleasures in life, in a free, sovereign republic!
Is it insured ?????
Duh?
All these anonymous jackasses here are bloody trolling for their porkistan…
We all know they'll go crying to ammi jaan once the plugs against them are pulled out….
All these anonymous jackasses here are bloody trolling for their porkistan…
We all know they'll go crying to ammi jaan once the plugs against them are pulled out….
A lot of idiotic comments around.
Military aviation is inherently dangerous.Only the ignorant assume that new or 'modern' planes do not crash.The B2 Billion dollar bomber has crashed twice .The half-billion dollar F22 has crashed 4 times. C-17s have crashed and so on.
One Pakistani claims that PAF has been flying C130 for years. Wonder if he has seen PAF losses including TWO that were destroyed ON TARMAC while testing.The only time C130 has crashed without even taking off!!
RIP brave Air Warriors.
Ignore the A holes
It is the man behind the mechine Sub standard Aryan Hindu Race cannot fly a 185 Million Dollar C-130 J..??????? incompitent fools.Pakistani C-130,s are minimum 52 years old but the commitment of the crews Pilots and the commanders have kept them in mint condition..Pakistan Zindabad
Well, Pakis or not, some of the comments are highly relevant. When the Chiefs of Airforce are caught redhanded taking bribes or acting as salesmen for foreign companies, such incidents will happen with greater frequency.
@Anon 12.51 AM yes PAF has a better track record in maintaining its assets. Something IAF must learn from.
Talented Indians are able to crash any plane.
My heart is with the five men and their families. The nation must ask how and why?
We would need to constantly upgrade our training programs and learn from the error that caused this tragedy.
Due to devyani khobragade stalemate the US initiated the kill switch in C130j.
Only IAF has the capacity to do the impossible during war time or peace time. We have seen during the 1971 war. So enemies stand a chance only during peace time where Indian armed forces are in self destruct mode.
As per eyewitness accounts, the aircraft was on fire when it nosedived. Which means pilots were not responsible for the crash.
It must be a maintenance failure. Either there was some slight or someone in ground maintenance deliberately sabotaged.
The entire pattern of our best assets getting destroyed beyond repair is quite serious and intriguing.
Is something else going on in Indian military? Or is someone in our military who shouldn't be there?
@Kris
C130 have 4 engines. And all four getting stalled or on fire at same time seems highly remote. It's a tried and tested platform….it's either sabotage or pilot error.
Some people here, seemingly related to the forces are not able to digest people questioning their professionalism.For them, it would be better if they 'earn' respect instead of 'demanding' it or 'begging' for it.
My condolences to families…also to the taxpayers…also good show by Non Indians…and exceptional show by few knowledegeble Indians displaying their perfect diagnosis of crash….Please help the world in solving mystry of mh 370…I am neither a flyer or close to defence work….I am a mining engineer whre things do go wrong….but above comments gave me enough knowledge How insensitive mankind has become..
Even if you are not Indians…Mocking the deads is shameful
The people of this country should realize that the pilots of IAF are known for their flying skills all over the world. They have proved their metal many times during various exercises with different countries. I've seen some comments by people, who blamed the pilots for this accident. This is absolutely absurd. One should understand that, this aircraft being a new acquisition, experienced and well qualified aircrew are entrusted to fly these machines. We should know the exact reason for accident before making such comments. So please stop commenting irresponsibly and pray for the departed souls. Jai hind.
First we blamed the Russians for cheap weapons now we blaming the Americans but instead throwing the stones we should at our own backyard . Our training sucks . We need good training school and instead blaming everyone's we should take blame ourself. We Indians are not superb tanlented. We need to through all the protocols and rules while flying or driving the subs. C130j is the safest plane and only 3 crashes know and the third one is our . So blaming Russians is not right because not all their migs where not bad . But our training sucks. That the real problem
There are some similarity in crash of Pakistan c-130B which was carrying their dictator both went nose down.
Bad day for Indian airforce.bad spairpart may be the region behind this. Any thing will happen with us.
sabotage ….
The Pakistan Air Force has crashed 8 c-130's so far. This includes the world record of destroying 2 C-130's on the ground due to incompetence and shoddy professionalism during fueling operations. The 2 planes were burnt to the ground. One C-130 crash by the PAF wiped out almost the entire Pakistani Army brass including chief of Staff of Pakistani Army General Akhtar Rehman, Major General AH Awan, 15 other Generals/Corps commanders as well as General Zia ul Haq -the President. The dismal record displayed by PAF due to incompetence, poor training and lack of professionalism while operating
the C-130 cannot be matched by any other country in the world.
Its a matter of regret that few brave air warriors have lot heir lives in this crash. How this happened only an enquiry commission will reveal. First of all who was in charge of tech specs when these air were being procured. Did our training team receive the complete training and at a level of competence that is need to fly this craft. Or was it a defective manufacture itself? If so who is competent in IAF to look into this I only hope the US is not trying to take advantage of our eagerness to procure these crafts by supplying defective ones.
A far as the rantings of some of the Pakis here, ignore them. Aircraft like C17, F22, Mirages, etc., have crashed, some on their maiden flights. What however is to be closely seen is whether maintenence is upto mark or worst still are there any traitors in the Force.
The blackbox has been recovered but was sent to Lockheed due to some damage.
So only pilot error will be known. If it was due to some snooping software it would not be known.
IAF's first reaction is always to blame somebody else. Invariably it is HAL and MoD. And the media and jokers from the public blame the MoD and A K Antony. I am surprised the jokers have not yet started their routine.
Earlier I thought IAF meant Imported Air Force. Now they should be called Import and Crash Air Force (IACAF)
Earlier I thought PAF = Pigs (can fly) Air force. After 8 C-130 crashes, they should change their name to BBAF (Begging Bowl Air Force)
Is there any thing like insurance for crashed aeroplane ??