2016 Indian Air Force An-32 disappearance

The 2016 Indian Air Force An-32 disappearance refers to the incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) Antonov An-32 aircraft that went missing on June 22, 2016, during a routine flight from Chennai to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The aircraft, carrying 29 personnel, including crew and passengers, lost contact with air traffic control approximately 250 nautical miles from its destination. Following its disappearance, a comprehensive search and rescue operation was launched, involving naval and aerial assets from the IAF and the Indian Navy. Despite extensive efforts, including satellite imagery analysis and reconnaissance flights, no trace of the aircraft or its occupants has been found, raising profound concerns regarding aviation safety and operational protocols in the region.