Issues With Sukhoi-30 MKI Ejection Seats, Indian Air Force Preliminary Study Says

The inadvertent ejection of India’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft seats is because of possible issues with their functioning, the country’s air force officers have found out through their preliminary study.

An ejection or ejector seat in an aircraft is a system designed to rescue the pilot or other crew of an aircraft in an emergency.

"The study was completed by five officers during their one-month course in 2014-15 and later submitted to the Air Headquarters for further evaluation. Technical branch experts at the Air Headquarters will investigate further." An officer with knowledge of development was quoted as saying by Times of India today.

The study was carried out by IAF’s technical branch which included officers with the rank of flight lieutenant and squadron leader. The preliminary study took place at the IAF's Lohegaon airbase at the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT).

MILIT is a tri-services establishment that imparts training in various defence technologies to meet mid-career requirements of officers of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

"The officers have considered various possibilities which results in ejection of seats. On that basis they found certain possible issues with the functioning of the seats." He added.

MILIT has a separate section known as "ejection seat bay" at Air Hangar on its campus. Various aircraft ejection seats have been kept for study at this section. The institute will soon get ejections seats of Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mig 27 aircraft.

Senior MILIT officer Wing Commander Ajay M Mahajan said "The Air Headquarters has already allocated two ejection seats of the Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mig 27. These seats will be kept at the bay for study purpose so that the officers can study them thoroughly."