New Delhi, May 19: An Indian Air Force MIG-27 fighter aircraft which went missing after getting airborne from the Hashimara Air Base in West Bengal this afternoon is feared to have crashed. Rescue helicopters till nightfall were unable to trace the fighter which went missing soon after take off from the airbase around 11.55 hours.
The MIG-27 was bound for a short haul flight to neighbouring Bagdogra airport when it lost radio contact with the ground at 12.09 in extremely bad weather conditions, an IAF spokesman here said.
The spokesman said two MI-8 helicopters had been pressed into search and rescue attempt which had to be called off tonight due to continuing stormy weather conditions over the area in north Bengal.
Asked if they feared that the fighter aircraft could have crashed, the spokesman said "as of now the search operations are on".
He said search operations would be relaunched tomorrow morning. The fighter was being piloted by flying officer Sinha.
Bureau Report