Missing MiG-29K Pilot Nishant Singh’s Body Found in Sea Near Goa Coast

After extensive search, the missing pilot's body was found on the seabed 70 metres below water, 30 miles off the Goa coast.

New Delhi/ Panaji: The Indian Navy on Monday recovered the body of the pilot of a MiG-29K trainer aircraft, Commander Nishant Singh, eleven days after he went missing. After an extensive search mission, the missing pilot’s body was found by rescue teams on the seabed 70 metres below water, 30 miles off the Goa coast.

Commander Nishant Singh went missing after his MiG-29K fighter aircraft crashed on November 26 while operating over the Arabian Sea, said Indian Navy officials.

The Navy said DNA testing is being carried out to ascertain the identity of the body, which has been recovered from the site of the crash.

“There are reasons to believe that the body is of Commander Nishant Singh. However, it can be fully ascertained following the result of the DNA testing,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

Another pilot who was also onboard the ill-fated plane was rescued soon after the mishap, which occurred mid-sea. The MiG-29K aircraft was operating from on board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, off Goa.

The Indian Navy deployed nine warships, 14 aircraft and a number of fast interceptor craft as part of the search and rescue mission to locate Commander Singh.

Some debris of the aircraft including landing gear, turbo charger and fuel tank engine were located last week.

The Navy had ordered a high-level inquiry to investigate the incident which was third involving the Mig-29K in the last one year.

(With agency inputs)