MiG-27
Image from http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~rajwar/pictures/planes/mig27_2.jpg
The air crashes of the MiG fighter planes continue to be the major cause of the attrition in the fourth largest Air Force of the world. MiGs are the largest part of the IAF’s inventory and hence show the maximum attrition numbers. The aircraft have been designed in Russia but many have been manufactured under licence in India by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd at its Nasik Division.
Read the full story below:-
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111206/nation.htm#
More MiG fighters lost in crashes than those remaining in service
Vijay Mohan/TNS 4
Chandigarh, December 5
The IAF has lost more MiG fighters in air crashes and accidents over the years than the number presently left remaining in service. The crash of a MiG-21 Bison aircraft near Sirsa in Haryana today has once again brought the focus on training and flight safety issues associated with the ageing fleet.
The latest report by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence, released in August, states that 476 MiG aircraft had met with accidents thus far, while the remaining fleet comprised 470 aircraft. Since the report was tabled, there have been four more crashes, including those of two MiG-21s, a MiG-29 and a Jaguar.
A written note on the subject by the Ministry of Defence states that a majority of accidents attributed to technical defects pertain to old-technology aircraft. Problems associated with vintage technology, especially aero-engines in MiG-21 and MiG-27, are more pronounced.
The MiG-21 is over 40 years old and the IAF is stated to be the only force flying this aircraft now. In the last decade, the MiG-21 Bis series aircraft were upgraded to the “Bison” configuration to extend their service life and operational capability.
The report also indicates that all may not be well with the technical aspects of the MiG-29 fleet either. The report quotes the Defence Secretary as saying, “Unfortunately, I must confess the Russians are extremely reluctant to share certain information. On the MiG-29 too, there have been instances in the past where we have to really come down heavily. We actually struggle to get the information. They are very secretive about what goes wrong with the machine.”
The IAF has lost more than a thousand fighters since 1970. Investigations into the cause of the accident are still underway in over 15 cases. In the past six years, the IAF has lost 46 aircraft, with 10 going down in 2009, eight in 2006 and 2008 and six in 2005, 2006 and 2010.
According to available information, 40.6 per cent accidents have been attributed to human error (39 per cent by air crew and 1.6 per cent by technical crew), 39.5 per cent to technical defect, nine per cent to bird-hit and 0.6 per cent to manufacturing/servicing by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
In fact, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne went on record recently saying that most accidents had taken place due to inexperience of pilots who were unable to control the aircraft during take-off or landing. He stressed upon the need for a basic trainer for the force. In the Parliamentary report, the MoD had also acknowledged that availability of a suitable trainer has been “an area of concern”.
The ministry’s note stated that there was need to modernise the IAF’s trainer fleet to meet the requirements of modern high-performance aircraft. This assumes significance in light of the IAF procuring 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft as well as upgrading its existing fleet to Russian and Western origin fighters.
The IAF has, in the recent past, introduced several measures including modifying the pilot’s training curriculum, reviewing flight safety audit mechanisms, improving airfield environment and developing training and management capsules.
airforcechat 
Four years, 33 combat plane crashes, 27 MiGs lost
22 03 2012
http://indianmilitarynews.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/four-years-33-combat-plane-crashes-27-migs-lost/
The Indian Air Force has lost 33 fighter aircraft, including three Sukhoi-30MKI, in mishaps since 2008 and 26 defence personnel were killed in these crashes, the Lok Sabha was informed.
“During last three years-2008-2011, and current year up to March, 33 fighter aircraft including one Jaguar, two Mirage-2000, three Sukhoi-30 and 27 MiG-series and 10 helicopters have crashed,” Defence Minister AK Antony said in a written reply to a question on crashes of IAF aircraft.
Antony added, “26 defence personnel, including 13 pilots, have lost their lives. Six civilians have also lost their lives.”
On reasons for these crashes, the defence minister said, “Majority of accidents were on account of human error and technical defect.”
Denying that inexperience of pilots is one of the reasons for these crashes, he said, “However, improvement of skills of pilots is a continuous process. Several steps have been taken by government in this regard.”
-via DNA.