2 pilots of crashed Sukhoi dead, confirms IAF

The two pilots of the Sukhoi that crashed on May 23 could not survive the injuries, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Wednesday.

The dead pilots have been identified as Sqn Ldr D Pankaj and Flt Lt S Achudev.

Analysis of the Flight Data Recorder of the aircraft and certain other articles recovered from the crash site revealed that the pilots could not initiate ejection before the cras, an IAF release said.

The wreckage of Sukhoi fighter jet that was declared missing was traced last week prompting the Indian Air Force (IAF) to order a court of inquiry into the crash. The ruins of the aircraft were traced 60 km North West of Tezpur, Assam.

The two-seater Su-30 MKI jet with two pilots on board, had gone missing shortly after taking off from the Tezpur Salonibari air force station on a routine sortie as part of a two aircraft formation.

It lost radar and radio contact with controlling station.

"The aircraft was declared overdue and Search and Rescue operations were launched to locate the aircraft and the pilots. Help from civil administration and military authorities was also sought to locate the aircraft," the IAF said.

Aerial search was commenced based on the last known position of the Su-30 MKI. Incessant rain, dense clouds and difficult terrain hampered the search operations in air and on the ground.