Pilot safe, normal flight operations were suspended and the airport was closed

Some flights were delayed at Goa Airport as the runway was closed. This is the first MiG-29 to be lost by the Navy. The jets operate off the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya

A MIG-29K fighter aircraft of the Navy with an trainee pilot crashed off the runway during takeoff at the Goa airport on Wednesday.

“The pilot has ejected to safety. Fire on the aircraft is being extinguished,” a Navy officer said.

This is the first accident involving the MIG-29k. The Navy operates 45 such aircraft and they fly off aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

Normal flight operations were suspended and the airport was closed.

A Court of Inquiry (CoI) will determine the cause of the accident.