The story of how MiG-21FL C601 ended up on the Sinhagad road on the outskirts of Pune has its root in one tragic night in September 2001. On the 17th of that month, Flt Lt Abhijeet Gadgil, was taking off in a MiG-21M from Suratgarh airfield on a night exercise. Soon after takeoff, the aircraft had a trim runaway which caused the aircraft to pitch up. Abhjeet Gadgil overcorrected the situation and the aircraft dived into the ground and exploded killing him.
Normally that would have been the end of the story. But Abhijeet Gadgils parents, Kavita and Anil Gadgil started a public interest campaign about the MiG-21 aircraft. Especially in the quality of spares and training. They created the Abhijeet Aerospace Safety Foundation to encourage safety awareness and spread the interest of aviation among the general public. The AASF made inroads in the areas of education and training to encourage our youth to consider aviation, specifically military aviation, as a promising, adventurous and rewarding career.
C603 was an airframe that was built around the late 60s. Possibly a direct russian import, the aircraft would have been in service during the 71 war.
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A clear view of the rear fuselage showing the tail number. |
| Mrs Kavita Gadgil and Mr. Anil Gadgil with a photograph of their son – late Flt Lt Abhijeet Gadgil. |
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Further Information:
Jeet Aerospace Institute http://www.jeetaerospace.org/ Address: Gut No. 137, at Gorhe Budruk, near Donje Phata, off Sinhgad Road, Pune 411025.
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