An Indian Navy MiG-29K veered off the runway today while taking off at Goa naval base.

The pilot, under training, ejected safely and the jet caught fire.

The trainee pilot managed to eject safely from the aircraft, which caught fire.

Arrival and departure of civilian flights at the Goa airport were delayed due to the incident, Goa airport director B C H Negi said.

The airport is located inside the naval base.

“All flights are likely to be delayed at Goa Airport as the runway is closed for operations due to Indian Navy’s urgent operational requirements,” Goa airport authorities said on Twitter.

A statement from the Defence Ministry spokesperson said the incident occurred when the fighter jet, manned by a trainee pilot, veered off runway this afternoon.

Some flights were delayed at Goa Airport as the runway was closed for operations for a brief period due to the navy’s urgent operational requirements, Goa airport authorities said.

This is the first MiG-29 to be lost by the navy which operates the jet off the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. The fighter jet will also be deployed off the INS Vikrant, the first indigenous aircraft carrier being built for the Navy.