JORHAT, ASSAM — An Indian Air Force (IAF) Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Jorhat Air Force Station on Saturday morning, June 13, 2026, killing five personnel on board. The co-pilot miraculously survived the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment at a local facility.

The Soviet-origin tactical transport aircraft, belonging to the IAF’s 43 Squadron, was returning from a routine cargo sortie when the disaster struck at approximately 10:00 AM.

According to eyewitnesses near the Rowriah airbase area, a loud explosion echoed across the airfield as the plane made its final approach, instantly enveloping the site in a thick column of black smoke.

IAF officials revealed that the twin-engine turboprop failed to land properly on the runway, veering completely off course and coming down outside the designated airstrip area. Unverified footage emerging from the base indicated the impact was severe enough to split the fuselage of the aircraft into two parts.

"An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident today while landing at Jorhat," an Air Force spokesperson confirmed shortly after the incident. "A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident."

Emergency response and firefighting teams immediately rushed to the crash site to contain the resulting blaze and secure the wreckage. Base authorities quickly cordoned off and sealed the entire military station to facilitate uninterrupted rescue and recovery operations.

The Indian Air Force has expressed profound grief over the incident and paid tribute to the fallen crew members, stating that they made the "supreme sacrifice in the line of duty."

"The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel," the IAF statement read. "The IAF extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief."

The An-32 has long served as the logistical backbone of the IAF, specifically relied upon for carrying troop reinforcements, heavy cargo, and humanitarian aid into the rugged, high-altitude border terrains of India's Northeast.

However, the crash adds another somber chapter to the fleet's history in the region. It follows previous major An-32 accidents, including a tragic 2019 crash in Arunachal Pradesh that claimed 13 lives after a flight took off from this very same Jorhat airbase.

With senior military officials rushing to the site, investigators will focus on determining whether the landing mishap was triggered by sudden technical failure, structural fatigue, or severe environmental factors.