A routine transport mission ended in tragedy on Saturday when an Indian Air Force Antonov An-32 crashed while attempting to land at Jorhat airbase in the northeastern state of Assam. The twin-engine turboprop, a Soviet-era workhorse still widely operated by the IAF, was carrying out a standard flight when it struck the runway, bounced violently, and veered into a nearby wadi, where it was consumed by fire. Five of the six crew members on board were killed; the co-pilot survived the impact and was evacuated for medical treatment, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The air force confirmed the fatalities in a statement, expressing “deep regret” and extending condolences to the bereaved families.

Dramatic security camera footage circulated on social media captures the final seconds of the flight. The aircraft, belonging to 43 Squadron, can be seen approaching the runway at Jorhat airbase before a hard touchdown triggers a series of bounces. On the second impact, the An-32 lurches to the left, skids off the paved surface, and tumbles into a depression, where a thick plume of black smoke and flames immediately engulfs the wreckage. The images, verified by multiple outlets, show the fuselage broken into several sections, underscoring the violence of the crash.

The Indian Air Force moved quickly to address the incident, pledging full support to the families of the fallen and announcing a formal inquiry to determine the cause. “The IAF deeply regrets the loss of five personnel and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” the statement read. The co-pilot’s survival offers investigators a rare firsthand account of the cockpit’s final moments, which could prove critical in piecing together whether mechanical failure, human error, or environmental factors triggered the catastrophe. The base at Jorhat, located in Assam’s tea-growing belt, often experiences challenging weather conditions, though no immediate indication of adverse conditions at the time of the crash has been released.

Viewed from New Delhi, the accident is likely to reignite debate over the longevity of the IAF’s ageing An-32 fleet. The aircraft, originally designed in the late 1970s, has been a logistical backbone for operations in India’s high-altitude northern borders and island territories. While a comprehensive upgrade programme in recent years extended the service life of over 100 airframes, periodic accidents have raised questions about structural fatigue and maintenance protocols. Analysts in London note that the survival of the co-pilot is a relatively uncommon outcome in such catastrophic crashes and may accelerate the inquiry’s findings. As the IAF balances operational demands with fleet modernisation, the Jorhat crash is likely to sharpen the focus on whether the upgraded An-32s can safely meet the force’s requirements until replacement aircraft are fully inducted.