Gwalior: Pilots safe as MiG 21 crashes, Defence Minister calls for investigation of the crash

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on Wednesday to enquire about the reasons behind the MiG 21 crash that took place near Gwalior on Wednesday.

Singh also enquired about the condition of the two pilots on board the ill-fated aircraft who managed to eject successfully from the cockpit.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) official said a court of inquiry has been instituted to ascertain the reason behind the crash.

"Both pilots, a Squadron Leader and a Group Captain, ejected safely and were picked up by a rescue helicopter. The aircraft was a Type-69 twin-seated trainer aircraft," said an IAF official.

The aircraft crashed approximately at 10 a.m. It was on a routine training mission and had taken off from the Air Force Station in Gwalior on Wednesday morning. The crash took place at an approximate distance of six nautical miles while the aircraft was on approach for landing.