Air Force Jaguar crashes in Uttar Pradesh, pilot ejects, villagers gather to take selfies

An Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter plane crashes in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The fighter plane had taken off from the Gorakhpur Air Force base. The pilot managed to eject safely.

Videos filmed at the scene of the crash showed flaming debris in what looked like a field.

A large crowd had gathered nearby. Many were seen taking selfies with the crashed plane.

Villagers were clicking selfies with the Jaguar fighter plane. (Photo: ANI)

WHAT'S A JAGUAR FIGHTER?

• This deep penetration strike aircraft can make fast, low-level dashes into enemy territory for precision strikes and bombing missions.
• It's a twin-engine aircraft. India first acquired it in the 1980s, but it's been progressively upgraded since then.
• It's also license manufactured by Hindustan Aeronatuics Limited in Bengaluru.

A Jaguar fighter plane making touchdown on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway near Bangarmau in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district on October 24, 2017.

OTHER IAF AIRCRAFT CRASHES

Other aircraft operated by the IAF have been involved in crashes last year.

In April 2017, an M17 helicopter crashed in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath, but all six people on board survived. In March, a plane crashed in Odisha's Mayurbhunj district. The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft, but was injured.

And in February 2017, a microlight chopper crashed in Assam, killing two pilots.