Assam Tragedy: 5 IAF Personnel Killed in AN-32 Crash
Five Indian Air Force personnel died after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing in Assam, raising fresh concerns over the ageing fleet's safety and replacement delays.
An AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed while attempting to land at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on 13 June 2026. Five Air Force personnel, including two officers, lost their lives, while one crew member survived and is undergoing treatment.
The AN-32 is not a passenger aircraft. It is a military transport aircraft that has been serving the Indian Air Force since 1984. Designed to operate in difficult terrains such as Ladakh and Northeast India, it transports troops, equipment, supplies and other essential cargo. The aircraft can carry up to 6.7 tonnes of cargo or around 50 passengers and can operate from remote airfields.
According to reports, the aircraft took off from Jorhat around 10 AM for a routine flight to Chabua. Soon after take-off, the crew reported a technical issue and requested to return. During the landing attempt, the aircraft reportedly went off the runway, broke into two pieces and caught fire.
The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash. Investigators will examine the aircraft's condition, maintenance records, communications and any possible technical faults.
The AN-32 has been involved in several major accidents in the past. In 2009 and 2019, two AN-32 aircraft crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, killing 13 people each time. In 2016, another AN-32 carrying 29 people disappeared over the Bay of Bengal.
Following earlier accidents, India signed a USD 400 million deal with Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov to upgrade the aircraft's engines, navigation and communication systems. However, despite these upgrades, concerns about the ageing fleet have remained.
The Indian Air Force is now planning to replace the AN-32 fleet under its Medium Transport Aircraft programme, but the process is still underway.
For now, all eyes are on the investigation as officials work to determine what caused the Jorhat tragedy.
