Three dead in Indian MiG crash
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Most of the crashes have been due to human error.
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NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- An Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter jet has crashed near the city of Jamnagar in northwestern Gujarat state killing three villagers and injuring 10 others.
Another pilot was killed in a similar MiG crash earlier this month.
Squadron Leader Mahesh Upasni said the aircraft was flying over a practice range in Lakha Bawala village when it crashed at 10 a.m. (0430 GMT) due to a technical error.
The pilot was able to eject safely, but flying debris from the plane hurt the villagers, he said.
According to Upasni, villagers sometimes secretly enter the area, possibly explaining their presence at the flying range. A court of inquiry has been created to investigate the cause of the accident.
Crashes of the Soviet-made MiG have become common in India where the air force is working with an aging fleet. There have been more than 100 MiG crashes in the past six years, killing at least 50 pilots.
The Indian government said most of the crashes were caused by human error, but technical problems and encounters with birds have also been cited as possible causes.
