Five IAF Personnel Killed as AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes During Landing in Assam’s Jorhat

Jorhat, Assam | June 13-14, 2026: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Antonov AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at the Jorhat Air Force Station on Saturday morning, killing five personnel and leaving one crew member injured, according to the latest reports. The aircraft was on a routine sortie when the accident took place, and the IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine what went wrong. 

According to reports from the scene, the aircraft had taken off earlier from the same airbase and later returned after developing a technical problem. During the landing phase, it reportedly veered off the runway, crossed the parallel taxiway and caught fire after breaking apart. Emergency teams, including fire tenders and ambulances, were rushed to the crash site immediately. 

The IAF identified the five personnel who lost their lives as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. Latest reports also said one crew member survived and was receiving medical treatment. The force expressed deep sorrow and said it stood with the bereaved families in this difficult hour. 

Why this crash matters

The AN-32 is one of the IAF’s most important transport aircraft and has long been described as the force’s logistical workhorse. Introduced into Indian service in 1984, the Soviet-origin twin-engine turboprop has been used extensively for moving personnel and supplies to remote, high-altitude and difficult terrain, including parts of the Northeast and the Himalayan region. 

This incident has also revived concerns about the aircraft’s safety record. The AN-32 has been involved in major accidents before, including the 2019 crash in Arunachal Pradesh in which 13 personnel were killed. Aviation watchers say the latest Jorhat crash will again place attention on the ageing transport fleet and the challenges of operating older aircraft in demanding conditions. 

Official response and the road ahead

Following the accident, the IAF said a Court of Inquiry had been constituted to establish the exact cause of the crash. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed grief over the loss of lives, while senior officials rushed to the site as rescue and assessment work continued.

For now, the focus remains on recovery, verification of the sequence of events and the inquiry into whether the crash was triggered by a technical fault, landing failure or another operational issue. The final findings of the Court of Inquiry will be crucial in determining accountability and whether corrective measures are needed across the fleet. 

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