Indian Air Force AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes and Catches Fire During Landing in Jorhat, Assam; Investigation Launched

According to initial reports, the AN-32 aircraft went down within the premises of the Air Force Station while attempting to land. The impact of the crash led to a fire, prompting swift deployment of emergency response teams to the site to contain the blaze and assess the evolving situation.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and stated that further updates would be issued following a detailed assessment. At present, the cause of the crash has not been determined, and information regarding possible casualties or injuries remains unconfirmed.

Authorities have initiated a formal investigation into the incident, with Air Force officials beginning procedures to ascertain the sequence of events that led to the crash.

The Antonov AN-32 is a robust twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft widely regarded as the “workhorse” of the Indian Air Force. Originally designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union to meet Indian operational requirements, the IAF operates a fleet of approximately 100 such aircraft.

Engineered for demanding conditions, the AN-32 is capable of operating in high-altitude airfields as well as hot and humid climates. It can carry up to 7.5 tons of cargo, transport 50 passengers, or accommodate 42 paratroopers, and is extensively deployed for supply missions in remote and inaccessible regions.

This incident comes months after a previous tragedy involving the Indian Air Force, when two pilots lost their lives in a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crash in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

On March 5, the twin-seat fighter aircraft had taken off for a routine sortie from Jorhat Air Force Station and lost communication with ground control at approximately 7:42 pm. The aircraft was subsequently untraceable and later crashed in a remote hilly area nearly 60 kilometres from Jorhat, resulting in the death of both pilots.

The latest AN-32 crash adds to a series of recent operational incidents, intensifying scrutiny of aviation safety protocols as investigations proceed.