A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage 5 ROSE III fighter jet from No. 27 Squadron “Zarrars” crashed near Sargodha on Tuesday after a suspected midair stall. The pilot was reportedly unable to recover control, and the aircraft sustained extensive damage on impact. Local authorities have cordoned off the crash site, while an official inquiry has been launched.
Legacy Fighter with Troubled History
The Mirage 5, designed in the 1960s by Dassault Aviation and later upgraded under Pakistan’s Retrofit of Strike Element (ROSE) program, has long been plagued by safety issues. Aviation records indicate that at least 15 Mirage 5 jets have crashed since 2012, claiming the lives of nine PAF pilots.
Often dubbed the “widow maker,” the aircraft is especially vulnerable to stall-spin incidents, where airflow disruption leads to uncontrollable spirals, even for experienced pilots. Analysts argue that despite upgrades, the aircraft’s outdated design struggles to keep pace with modern flight demands.
Further updates on the investigation are awaited.
