An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft crashed and caught fire while landing at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on June 13, 2024 [1], [2].
The accident occurred at the Rowriah Airport facility, prompting an immediate emergency response and a formal military investigation into the cause of the crash [1], [3].
Reports on the number of casualties vary among sources. Some reports state that five IAF personnel died in the accident [1], [4]. Other accounts suggest the death toll was higher, with one source stating that all eight people onboard died [6]. However, another report indicated that the co-pilot survived the crash and is receiving medical treatment [4].
The aircraft burst into flames during the landing process [2]. The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the specific reasons why the transport plane crashed [1], [4].
Rescue operations were launched immediately following the incident to secure the site and assist any potential survivors [5]. The AN-32 is a twin-engine turboprop transport aircraft used by the IAF for various logistical and transport missions across the region.
Military officials have not yet released the findings of the investigation. The Court of Inquiry will examine the aircraft's maintenance records, weather conditions at the time of landing, and potential mechanical failures to establish a definitive cause [1], [4].
“The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the specific reasons why the transport plane crashed.”
The crash of an AN-32 aircraft highlights ongoing safety concerns and operational risks associated with the aging transport fleet of the Indian Air Force. The discrepancy in casualty reports underscores the initial chaos of the rescue operation, while the formal Court of Inquiry is necessary to determine if the incident was caused by human error or a systemic mechanical failure.
