VISAKHAPATNAM: An external fuel tank that fell from a flying MIG 29K of Indian Navy to the ground near the CISF residential quarters at Malkapuram created a panic among the residents on Monday morning.
Police said that no casualty was reported as none was present in the area where the fuel tank fell. According to Malkapuram Inspector E Kesava Rao, the tank fell between 11.15 am and 11.20 am.
"It initially fell on a tree and then on the road, near a parking place in the CISF residential quarters. We are not sure whether it happened owing to a malfunction or negligence. We have to confirm the reason from the Navy officials," said Malkapuram Inspector Kesava Rao.
It is learnt that MIGs carry external fuel tanks with them when on a long distance journey. As a practice, the pilots drop these fuel tanks containing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in the sea after using them. As per the Malkapuram police, the fuel tank was not completely empty.