ACCIDENTS OF MiG AIRCRAFT

Rajya Sabha

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The MiG 21 aircraft was inducted in the Indian Air Force from the year 1963 to 1976. The indigenised production of MiG-21 Bis aircraft continued till 1989. Taking average life of 35 years, the majority of these aircraft have got considerable residual life left. Between 1997 – 2000 out of 84 accidents 69 percent involve the MIG series and of which 38 were MIG 21s alone.

Human Error (HE), Technical Defect (TD) and Bird Hit (BH) have been identified as the main causes of accidents by various Courts of Inquiry. Remedial measures are instituted on the basis of the recommendations of each Court of Inquiry (COI). Measures are being taken to reduce accidents under all categories, by formulation of Accidents Prevention Programme, Environmental Cleanliness, Bird Hazard control, conduct of studies on HE and TD and interaction with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited/Original Equipment Manufacturers. Besides MIG 21 Bis variant aircraft have been planned for upgrade also.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Nana Deshmukh in Rajya Sabha today.