An Antonov AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed while attempting to land at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday morning, triggering a fire at the site within the base premises. As per local reports, one pilot died in the crash.
According to initial reports from defence sources and eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the incident occurred at the Rowriah airfield when the military transport aircraft was landing on the runway. Emergency response teams, including fire engines, were swiftly deployed to the spot, and rescue operations were immediately initiated to control the blaze and assess the situation. Thick smoke was visible rising from the wreckage, with images and videos circulating widely showing the aircraft on the ground amid active firefighting efforts.
Indian Air Force confirmed the incident in a post on X, saying “An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident today while landing at Jorhat. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident today while landing at Jorhat.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 13, 2026
A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident. @DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@adgpi@IndiannavyMedia@indiannavy
The aircraft is part of No 43 Squadron under o Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force, based in Jorhat. The cause of the accident remains unknown, and a Court of Inquiry is likely to be ordered to investigate the circumstances.
As of now, the Indian Air Force has not released an official detailed statement on the number of personnel on board or the extent of casualties. Defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat confirmed the crash, stating that losses are being ascertained. Further information regarding the pilots and any other crew members is expected to be provided by the IAF in due course.
However, local media is reporting that one pilot has been confirmed dead, while another pilot is reportedly seriously injured. The AN-32 operated by IAF can carry around 50 personnel, but the aircraft involved in the crash was being used for transporting cargo, and it is expected that there was no passengers on the plane.
The AN-32 is a Soviet-era twin-engine turboprop aircraft, primarily used for logistical support in challenging terrains. The IAF operates a fleet of these aircraft, many of which are undergoing modernisation, though they are gradually being phased out under the medium transport aircraft programme. This incident comes as the second reported AN-32 mishap in recent times, following a crash-landing in Bagdogra last year where the crew was safe.
This is the second crash of an IAF aircraft in Assam this year. In March, a Su-30 MKI jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in Karbi Anglong district in Assam. That jet was also based at Jorhat Air Force Station. Two pilots died in that crash.
Jorhat Air Force Station serves as a vital base in India’s Northeast, supporting operations near the borders.
