IAF AN-32 transport aircraft crashes while landing at Jorhat airbase in Assam

An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft met with an accident while attempting to land at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday, triggering an emergency response and firefighting operations within the airbase premises.

Confirming the incident, an IAF spokesperson said, “Today an AN-32 of IAF met with an accident in Jorhat. Further update will be provided once more details are available.”

According to initial information, the aircraft was on approach to the Jorhat airbase when the accident occurred. Fire and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the site, and efforts were underway to contain the blaze and secure the area. Officials said firefighting operations were continuing at the accident site as a precautionary measure.

No official information regarding casualties, injuries, or the extent of damage to the aircraft was immediately available. The Air Force is expected to initiate a detailed investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.

The AN-32 is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft that has served as a key logistics platform for the IAF for decades, particularly in operations involving high-altitude and remote airfields across the country.

The latest incident revives memories of several major accidents involving the AN-32 fleet over the years.

One of the most tragic incidents occurred in June 2019, when an AN-32 carrying 13 personnel disappeared after taking off from Jorhat in Assam for Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. After an extensive search operation lasting more than a week, the wreckage was located in the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. All 13 personnel on board lost their lives.

Earlier, in July 2016, another AN-32 carrying 29 people vanished over the Bay of Bengal while flying from Chennai’s Tambaram Air Force Station to Port Blair. Despite one of the largest search operations undertaken by India, the aircraft remained missing for years. Wreckage linked to the aircraft was eventually identified on the seabed in 2024, confirming the loss of all 29 occupants.

The AN-32 fleet has been the backbone of the IAF’s transport operations since the 1980s, supporting troop movement, logistics supply missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, particularly in difficult terrain and forward areas. Over the years, the aircraft has undergone upgrades aimed at enhancing avionics, navigation systems and operational reliability.

Further details regarding Saturday’s accident are awaited from the Indian Air Force.