The Indian Air Force, IAF, has ordered an inquiry into the crash of a Sukhoi-30 MKI Aircraft that happened near Pune. An IAF team has also been rushed to the site of the wreckage.

IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Gerard Galway said in New Delhi, a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the IAF today crashed soon after taking off from Lohegaon airbase near Pune but both the pilots managed to bail out safely.

The aircraft, which was on a routine mission, had taken off at 1245 hours and crashed at 1310 hours. He said the aircraft lost contact with the base after apparently developing a technical problem.

AIR correspondent reports, this is the third crash of the Russian origin Su-30 fighter planes since they were inducted into the IAF in 1997.

The first and second crash involving a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft took in 2009. Today's crash is the eighth mishap involving IAF fighter aircraft this year.

Seven MiG series aircraft had crashed earlier this year. Before the SU-30 accident, a MiG-21 Bison had crashed in Sirsa in Haryana on 2nd of this month. During last three years, the IAF has lost 30 fighter aircraft and 10 helicopters in various crashes.

26 defence personnel including 13 pilots have lost their lives in these crashes along with six civilians on the ground.