Was there a mysterious technical glitch in the AN-32 just before landing that took the lives of 5 IAF soldiers? Why did eyewitnesses see black smoke before the explosion, was the plane already in trouble? Despite more than 22 accidents involving the AN-32 since 1986, can this aircraft still be considered safe? Why did the second major crash happen just a few months after the Sukhoi-30MKI accident?
Jorhat (Assam): On Saturday afternoon, the sky of the North-East once again turned black due to the debris and smoke of military aircraft. An AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) met with a horrific accident while landing at the Rauria Air Force Station located in the strategically sensitive Jorhat of Assam. In this heart-wrenching accident, 5 brave Air Force soldiers died on the spot, while the co-pilot of the plane miraculously survived. This accident happened when the plane was about to touch the runway after completing its flight.
The plane was returning from Arunachal, then why suddenly the contact was lost?
This AN-32 aircraft, which had flown from the front in Arunachal Pradesh, was preparing to land at this important air base in Upper Assam. Everything was as per the prescribed protocol, but even before the wheels could touch the ground, death surrounded the plane. Recalling the horrifying scene, a local resident living right near the boundary wall of the air base said, “I saw from the window that the rear part (tail section) of the plane was strangely stationary in the air and dense black smoke was coming out of it. I was about to run away from that place in fear when suddenly there was a deafening explosion which shook my earth.”
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Co-pilot fighting between life and death
As soon as the echo of the blast was heard, alarm sirens sounded inside Rauria Air Force Station. Air Force emergency response teams, fire engines and military doctors immediately rushed to the debris. Parts of the aircraft were scattered all around and flames were rising. The rescue team, working extremely bravely, pulled out the seriously injured co-pilot from the debris, who was immediately admitted to the army hospital where he is fighting for his life. However, the other 5 soldiers could not be saved. The Air Force sadly confirmed that five of our brave soldiers have lost their lives in this crash that occurred during landing.
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Eyewitness’s claim: ‘First smoke was seen, then an earth-shaking explosion’
A local resident living near the boundary wall of the Air Force station described the horrific scene, saying he had seen the tail end of the plane and thick black smoke rising into the sky. He said, “The plane looked unusual. As soon as I started moving from that direction, there was a huge explosion. The sound of the explosion was so loud that the whole area trembled.” This statement has raised many new questions regarding the accident. Had there been a serious malfunction in the plane itself? Or lost control during landing?
Investigation started, Court of Inquiry will reveal the real reason
The Indian Air Force has ordered a ‘Court of Inquiry’ immediately after the accident. The team of experts will examine flight data, technical records, meteorological information and air traffic control communications. The Air Force’s goal is to find out what caused the accident.
After all, why is AN-32 proving to be a ‘flying coffin’ again and again?
This horrific accident has once again raised serious question marks on the safety record of this most reliable aircraft of the Indian Air Force. According to official figures, since 1986 till now there have been about 22 crash incidents with AN-32 aircraft in India, in which the most recent incident was recorded last year i.e. in 2025. Despite this scary history, this aircraft still remains the backbone of the Air Force to carry out logistics, logistics and operational missions in the difficult and mountainous areas of the country. But these recurring accidents now point to some deep technical or maintenance flaw.
After Sukhoi, now AN-32; The mystery is deepening in the sky!
There is deep concern and suspense in the defense circles about what is happening in the skies of Jorhat that caused two major accidents within a few months? Recall that a few months ago, a state-of-the-art Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet of IAF had also crashed during routine training on the Englong Akopi hill located in Bokajan sub-division of Karbi Anglong district, about 60 km from the same Jorhat Air Base.
Now everyone’s eyes are on the investigation report
At present, the eyes of the entire country are fixed on the report of the Court of Inquiry. Was it just a technical failure, or is there a deeper reason behind it? The martyrdom of five soldiers has made this question more serious. Until the investigation is completed, this accident at Jorhat Air Base will remain the center of discussion with many unresolved mysteries and questions.