Wreckage of missing AN-32 aircraft found in Arunachal Pradesh: IAF

The wreckage of the missing AN-32 aircraft has been found by Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force following eight-day search operation, said Indian Air Force (IAF).

The wreckage of the missing AN-32 was spotted on Tuesday 16 kms North of Lipo, northeast Tato at an approximate elevation of 12000 feet by the IAF Mi-17 helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search zone, tweeted the IAF official handle.

“After identification of the wreckage of AN 32 by Mi-17V5, the Cheetah of the IAF and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the Indian Army reached the crash site. Due to high elevation and dense forest, helicopters could not land next to the crash site. However, the nearest landing site was identified and the rescue operation by helicopters will commence Wednesday early morning. Ground forces will continue to reach the crash site during the night,” added the release. 

This apart, the civil administration of Arunachal Pradesh has also formed ground search parties to help the Air Force and Indian Army to find the survivors of the crash. “Mountaineering teams of IAF, Army and civilians are being formed now. They will be inducted tomorrow by means of helicopters to look for survivors,” said a senior official of the Indian Air Force. 

The AN-32 aircraft with 13 people on board – eight officers and five passengers took off from the Jorhat air base around 12:25pm on June 3 and was headed for Mechuka – an advanced landing ground in Arunchal Pradesh closer to the Chinese border. However, the aircraft lost contact with the radar and ground staff and did not reach the Mechuka air base at its scheduled landing time at 1pm the same day. 

The wreckage of the aircraft was located following eight-day search operation. 

IAF chopper teams were involved in the search mission.