An Indian Navy aircraft, which is in Russia for a mid-life upgradation, made an emergency landing at the Zhukovsky airfield outside Moscow after its chassis malfunctioned, Russian media reported today.

An Indian Navy official said the IL-38 aircraft was on initial test flight and that the extent of damage to the plane in the incident is being ascertained. The Russian-built IL-38 is an anti-submarine warfare aircraft. "The aircraft is in Russia for Overhaul (OH) and Mid-Life Upgradation (MLU). No Indian Navy crew was onboard during the sortie though they are present in Russia. The aircraft was on initial test flight with all Russian crew," the official said. The incident had taken place yesterday.

According to Russia Today, the plane, which was bracing for the emergency landing, emitted quite dense smoke and was seemingly dumping fuel in order to reduce the chances of catching fire.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Monday, 30 April 2018 | PTI | New Delhi