MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashes; pilot safe

A MiG-29 fighter aircraft on a routine sortie today crashed near Lalparda village in Gujarat's Jamnagar district, with the pilot ejecting safely.

"A MiG-29 fighter jet today crashed at 13.30 hours near Lalparda village south of Khambhalia town," IAF officials said.

The aircraft was on on a routine sortie, they said.

"The pilot ejected safely when the plane crashed," they added.

IAF has ordered a court of inquiry in the matter, officials said, adding that their team is reaching the spot where the crash took place.

In August 2012, nine Air Force personnel, including five officers, on board two MI-17 helicopters were killed when two choppers of the Jamangar air base had collided mid-air shortly after take off.