A MiG-27 Flogger ground attack aircraftof the Indian Air Force (IAF) has crashed in the country's east, thethird crash of a plane of this type in India this year, a spokesman forthe Indian Army Eastern Command said.
The crash took place at 08:25 am localtime (02:25 GMT) some 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Kalaikundaair base in West Bengal state.
"The pilot managed to eject and isunharmed. The crash did not cause casualties or destruction on theground," Mahesh Upasani said, adding that investigation into the crashwas under way.
An MiG-27 aircraft crashed in WestBengal in February near the Hashimara military base, killing the pilotand causing all MiG-27 flights to be suspended for a short period oftime.
Another MiG-27 plane crashed into avillage in the region in July during a routine training flight, killinga local resident and injuring 10 others.
The MiG-27 aircraft was originallybuilt in the former Soviet Union in the mid-1970s before it waslicensed to be produced in India.
India has about 150 MiG-27 planes, known as the Bahadhur (Brave) in the IAF.
According to the military, a current upgrade program will keep the MiG-27 operational for another 10 years.
