An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed on Wednesday morning while on a routine training mission in Gwalior. The ageing Soviet-era plane crashed only minutes after taking off from the Gwalior airbase. Both MiG-21 pilots a Group Captain and a squadron leader on board had managed to eject to safety and, are due to undergo a medical evaluation to assess if they are fit to fly.
The MiG-21 has earned the dubious distinction of being referred to as ‘Flying Coffins’ and ‘Widow Makers’ in IAF circles. Over 200 people have lost their lives in MiG-21 crashes.
