In a routine training exercise on Monday, a MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) encountered a system malfunction, leading to its crash in an open field near Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The pilot managed to eject safely, and no injuries or casualties were reported.

The Indian Air Force released an official statement confirming the incident: "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 enquiry has been ordered by the IAF, to ascertain the cause of the accident." Following the crash, visuals from Songa village show the jet ablaze in an open field, with onlookers gathering at a safe distance from the scene. Some people were seen inspecting equipment resembling parts of the jet’s ejection seat.

The MiG-29, referred to by NATO as "Fulcrum" and known in India as "Baaz," is a Soviet-designed air superiority fighter inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1987. With decades of service, the MiG-29 is known for its maneuverability and reliability. The crashed aircraft was reportedly the upgraded MiG-29 UPG model, enhanced with advanced avionics. This marks the second recent MiG-29 incident; in September, another MiG-29 suffered a technical failure and crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer district during a night training flight. The pilot in that case also ejected safely.

A notable feature of the MiG-29 is its Zvezda K-36D ejection seat, a zero-zero system allowing pilots to eject even at zero altitude and zero speed. The advanced seat, also used in the IAF’s Su-30MKI jets, can ensure pilot safety in situations where escape would otherwise be difficult. Developed in response to the British Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seats, this Soviet-designed technology is also present in India’s indigenous Tejas jets.

The zero-zero ejection seats are designed specifically for emergencies during low-speed or low-altitude flights, as well as for mishaps on the ground during take-off or landing. This capability has proved vital for safeguarding pilots during critical moments in the cockpit. The IAF has ordered a full investigation to determine the technical cause behind the latest incident.