Gujarat crash: Pilot flew plane away from populated areas to prevent casualties

On March 23, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav got engaged, and his wedding was planned for November 2. However, a technical malfunction in the Jaguar fighter jet led to a crash, claiming the life of the 28-year-old pilot.

In Short

• IAF Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar killing pilot Siddharth Yadav
• Yadav, his co-pilot ensured crash site was away from populated areas
• Yadav's family had a military background, he got engaged 10 days back

A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jamnagar in Gujarat on Wednesday night during a routine training sortie. The crash claimed the life of Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, a 28-year-old pilot from Rewari, Haryana. He was engaged just days ago, with his wedding date set for November.

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav and his co-pilot ensured that the aircraft crashed in an open field, away from densely populated areas, thereby preventing civilian casualties. His co-pilot managed to eject safely and is currently undergoing treatment. Siddharth, however, lost his life in the crash.

The accident occurred around 9:30 pm in Suvarda village, approximately 12 km from Jamnagar city. Witnesses reported that the aircraft caught fire upon impact, with debris scattering across the field. Local residents rushed to the scene and informed authorities.

FAMILY WITH HISTORY OF MILITARY SERVICE

Flight Lieutenant Yadav belonged to a family with a long history of military service. His great-grandfather served in the Bengal Engineers under British rule, his grandfather was part of the paramilitary forces, and his father also served in the Indian Air Force before joining LIC. Siddharth was the fourth generation in his family to serve the country.

After passing the NDA exam in 2016, Siddharth underwent three years of rigorous training before becoming a fighter pilot. He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant after two years of service.

Just ten days before the crash, on March 23, Siddharth got engaged, and his wedding was planned for November 2. He had recently returned to duty on March 31 after spending time with his family in Rewari.

The news of his passing has left his family, friends, and the entire town in mourning.

His father, Sujeet Yadav, expressed his grief, recalling how Siddharth had always dreamed of flying and serving the nation.

“He was a brilliant student. We had always been proud of him... My father and grandfather were in the army. I was also in the Air Force. I am very proud of him; he lost his life while saving a life... But it is also a matter of grief as he was my only son," he said.

HEROIC ACTIONS IN FINAL MOMENTS

Siddharth and his co-pilot encountered a technical failure mid-air.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) revealed that the Jaguar fighter jet, a two-seater aircraft, took off from the Jamnagar Airfield on a night mission when the pilots encountered a technical malfunction.

"The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to the airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar," the statement read.

His father said that despite efforts to stabilise the aircraft, it became clear that a crash was imminent. In those critical moments, Siddharth ensured that his fellow pilot ejected safely. Instead of abandoning the aircraft immediately, he steered it away from residential areas, sacrificing his own life in the process, his father said.

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav's mortal remains are expected to arrive in Rewari on Friday morning. His last rites will be performed in his ancestral village, Bhalaki-Majra, with full military honours.

(Inputs by Deshraj Singh)