28 pilots, 61 aircrafts lost in four years

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force lost 28 pilots in 61 aircraft and helicopter accidents in the last four years, parliament was informed on Wednesday.

"Sixty-one defence aircraft/helicopters have crashed during the last four years. Twenty-eight pilots have died in these crashes," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply the in Rajya Sabha.

"Defence services have aircraft of varied vintage on their inventory. Thorough checks and proper maintenance is carried out on each aircraft by a qualified team of engineers and technicians. No aircraft is offered for flying unless it has passed all checks and is fully fit for flying," he added.