On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, a two-seater Jaguar trainer jet belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) tragically crashed in an agricultural field near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The aircraft had taken off from the Suratgarh airbase for a routine training sortie.
The IAF confirmed the tragic loss of life, expressing deep regret and extending full support to the bereaved families. No damage to civilian property on the ground was reported. An immediate court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
This incident marks the third Jaguar fighter jet crash in India this year. Earlier accidents involved a Jaguar in Panchkula, Haryana, on March 7 (where the pilot successfully ejected), and another near Jamnagar, Gujarat, on April 2 (where one pilot was killed). The Jaguar, a British-French twin-engine fighter bomber first inducted into the IAF in the late 1970s, has undergone various upgrades over the years. However, experts have raised concerns about the operational viability of the aging fleet and the absence of an auto-ejection system in these vintage aircraft. The deceased pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sindhu (32) and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh (23). Eyewitnesses reported that the pilots appeared to steer the jet away from densely populated areas, potentially averting greater casualties.
Investigation into Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crash
A preliminary report concerning the fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 12, 2025, is anticipated to be released by Friday, July 11, 2025. The London-bound aircraft crashed mere moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, having reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet. The catastrophic event claimed the lives of 241 out of 242 individuals on board, and at least 19 people on the ground, bringing the total fatalities to around 260.
The ongoing investigation is primarily focusing on the movement of the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches. This specific area of inquiry is informed by a detailed analysis of the Boeing 787’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders, as well as simulations conducted by Boeing. Investigators have confirmed that the black boxes were found intact and yielded “good data.”
Crucially, preliminary findings indicate no immediate concerns regarding mechanical failure or inherent design issues with the 787 or its GE Aerospace engines. Consequently, no bulletins recommending changes to 787 operations have been issued to airlines. Investigators have also ruled out other initial speculations, such as fuel contamination or improper retraction of the aircraft’s flaps.
Aviation safety experts emphasize that engine fuel switches are designed to be highly resistant to accidental activation, requiring deliberate action to engage them. The abrupt shutdown of such a switch would lead to an almost immediate loss of engine power. While the preliminary report is expected soon, investigators caution that the available black box data, at this juncture, cannot definitively rule out improper, inadvertent, or intentional actions that may have preceded or followed the apparent loss of thrust. A complete and conclusive analysis of these complex details is projected to take several more months.
This Air India crash represents the first fatal accident and hull loss for the Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011, and stands as one of India’s deadliest aviation incidents in decades. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, with collaborative support from international agencies.
