Chennai, July 22 (PTI): A transport plane of the Indian Air Force with 29 people on board went missing today while flying from Chennai to Port Blair.
The AN-32 aircraft took off at 0830 hours from Tambaram in Chennai and the last contact with it was made 16 minutes later, defence sources said.
The aircraft can fly for up to four hours without refuelling. A massive search operation has been launched by the IAF, Navy and the Coast Guard, sources said.
"It was a courier flight with service personnel on board and the estimated arrival time at Port Blair was 1130 hrs. Search is on," the sources said.
One P8I aircraft and one Donier aircraft have been pressed into seach and rescue operation while four ships have been diverted to join them.
More military assets are being sent to help in the search and rescue operation.
More details are awaited.