First photographs by my alma mater The Indian Express from the site of the Su-30 MKI crash today show a largely intact fuselage and airframe, indicating that aircraft didn’t just dive out of the sky (probably didn’t get very high at all), that pilots likely ejected after an engine malfunction/flame-out, and that aircraft was level when it ploughed into the ground — possibly even a controlled crash. Nothing else explains the structural integrity of the airframe. Note the deployed flaps and tail chute. Real pity. Thoughts and observations from experts highly welcome.

Photos / The Indian Express on Twitter