'No engine failure, pilot error in Sukhoi crash'

The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet that crashed near Pune Tuesday did not suffer any engine failure and pilot error has also been ruled out. The mishap seems to have occurred due to a technical snag, defence ministry officials said Wednesday.

Senior officials cited a "technical snag" as the reason for the crash, adding that the actual reason can only be found through a court of enquiry that has already been ordered.

"The engines of the jet did not fail. There was no pilot error either," a senior official said.

"There was some technical snag. A court of enquiry has been ordered and we can come to any conclusion only after proper probe," the official said.

The officials added that the aircraft is largely intact as there was no fire and it landed on its belly.

"The aircraft landed on its belly, in soft mud and is largely intact. Vital data will be recovered from the craft," said the official.

The aircraft had taken off from Lohegaon base of the Indian Air Force. Thw two pilots ejected and landed safely at the Taleranwadi village in Theur, around 30 km from Pune.

The Sukhoi, which was first introduced in the Air Force in 1997, has for long been considered a safe and reliable aircraft.

Concerns have however been raised in recent months with several of these reporting engine failure.

This accident marks the fifth crash of a Sukhoi.

India currently has 200 of these planes. Another 70 jets have been ordered from the Russian manufacturer.