A serious accident unfolded at the strategically important Jorhat airbase in Assam on Saturday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 cargo aircraft was attempting to touch down on the runway. As it came in to land at around 10 am, the plane suddenly burst into flames and, within moments, broke into two parts. According to early information, the pilot is feared to have lost his life in the crash.
Flames Erupted During Landing, Plane Tore Apart in Seconds
Initial reports indicate that the goods-carrying aircraft, which had taken off in the early hours of Saturday, erupted with towering flames and thick black smoke the moment it began touching the ground at Jorhat airbase. In no time, the frame of the plane split into two pieces. Images emerging from the site show the aircraft suffered extensive damage.
Rescue Teams Rushed In; Fate of Other Crew Unclear
The instant the scene unfolded, emergency teams from the airport and the IAF reached the spot and began battling the blaze. Sources say the pilot is feared dead, but so far no information has come out about the other crew members on board. It is also not yet clear how many people in total were aboard the aircraft. No official figure on casualties has been released either.
Cause of the Crash Still a Mystery
The biggest question is why this aircraft crashed in the first place. Whether a technical fault was behind it or some other reason — that answer is yet to be found. It is believed that a detailed inquiry into the incident will be ordered to determine the real cause, and only after the investigation is complete will the truth behind the accident become clear.
The Air Force's Statement
In its statement, the Indian Air Force said: ‘A military aircraft crashed during landing at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam. It was an AN-32 cargo aircraft, used for transporting goods. The accident occurred while the plane was attempting to land at the airbase. It is feared that the pilot lost his life in the accident. Relief and investigation work is underway, and further information is awaited.’
A Key Air Force Hub in the Northeast
The Jorhat Air Force Station is one of the most important air force locations in northeast India and plays a vital role in air operations across Assam and the wider region. Notably, this accident comes at a time when, just a few months earlier, an IAF Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet had crashed during a routine training mission at Inglong Akopi Hill in Karbi Anglong district, roughly 60 kilometres from the Jorhat airbase.
Three Major AN-32 Accidents in a Decade, 42 Lives Lost
Over the past ten years — between 2016 and 2026 — three major accidents involving the Indian Air Force's AN-32 transport aircraft have been recorded. Two of them proved extremely fatal, while in one all personnel escaped safely.
- 22 July 2016: An AN-32 went missing over the Bay of Bengal while flying from Chennai to Port Blair. All 29 people on board died. The wreckage was found in the depths of the sea in 2024, but the actual cause of the crash could never be established.
- 3 June 2019: Another AN-32, flying from Jorhat in Assam to Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh, crashed into the hills of the Tato area. All 13 people aboard lost their lives.
- 7 March 2025: An AN-32 made a crash landing at Bagdogra airport in West Bengal. The aircraft skidded off the runway and was damaged, but all crew members remained safe and no lives were lost.
Across these three incidents, a total of 42 people died, while the 2025 mishap resulted in no casualties.
