Watch: Locals rush to help MiG-29 pilot who ejected minutes before crash in Agra

Visuals show the MiG-29 aircraft wreckage engulfed in flames, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. The crash site soon attracted a large crowd of onlookers, with many recording the scene on their devices.

In Short

• Indian Air Force MiG-29 crashed in Agra during routine sortie
• Pilot ejected safely before crash, locals rushed to help him
• No ground casualties due to pilot's skilful manoeuvre

Locals sprang into action to assist an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot who ejected from his MiG-29 fighter jet just moments before it crashed in an open field in Uttar Pradesh's Agra. According to Air Force officials, the incident occurred during a routine training sortie, as the aircraft encountered a "system malfunction" that led to the crash.

Footage of the event quickly spread across social media, showing the pilot descending to the ground under a parachute while a crowd of concerned bystanders rushed towards him.

In the video, a local can be heard saying "fauji bach gao (soldier is safe)". The pilot appeared to be unhurt in the video and locals rushed him to a safer location.

Another video of the incident showed the aircraft in a flat-spin before plummeting, as the pilot skilfully directed the jet away from populated areas to avoid any potential damage to life or property.

The aircraft had taken off from Adampur in Punjab and was en route to Agra for a routine exercise when the incident occurred.

In an official statement, the IAF said that the pilot's quick thinking prevented any ground casualties. "A MiG-29 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Agra during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot manoeuvred the aircraft to ensure no damage to life or property on the ground, before ejecting safely. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to determine the cause of the accident," read the statement, posted on X.

This is not the first time a MiG-29 fighter jet has crashed and burnt to ashes during training exercises. On September 2, a MiG-29 crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer due to a technical fault, catching fire upon impact.