In a tragic incident a day ahead of Aero India 2019 defence aerospace exposition that begins here on Wednesday, one pilot was killed while two other pilots escaped death by ejecting themselves when two ‘Suryakiran’ Hawk jets, part of the Indian Air Force aerobatic team collided mid air while doing a practice sortie at IAF Yalahanka Airfields on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday.
The Suryakiran aerobatic team was conducting practice sorties this morning when the tragedy struck at 11.50 AM when the two planes collided and crashed close to the airfield, during a while performing a complex manoeuvre, resulting in the death of the IAF seasoned pilot who is identified as Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi. The two other pilots Wing Commander Vijay T Shelke escaped with minor injuries while the other pilot Sqn Ldr Tejaswar J Singh suffered fractures in both legs.
When the crash occurred the three pilots, while one aircraft carried two and the other one, the pilots ejected for safety from a short height and the third pilot died on the spot. The two injured pilots were immediately airlifted from IAF Yalahanka to HAL airport in the city and rushed to military Command Hospital. Sqn Ldr Tejaswar Singh was immediately operated upon for injuries in his legs, official sources said.
‘’The accident took place at around 11.50 AM during rehearsal at Yelahanka Air Station ahead of the mega show. There were three pilots and one has died. Two others are safe with injuries. We have ordered an inquiry. There were no casualties or injured of civilians in the crash site,’’ Karnataka Fire Service Deputy Inspector General of Police M N Reddy said in a twitter message.
The IAF spokesperson in a statement said, ‘’ Today morning at around 1150 hrs, two Hawk aircraft of Suryakiran aerobatic team of IAF crashed while practicing for the forthcoming Aero India Air Show. Three pilots were occupants. Two pilots ejected and have been evacuated to the Command Hospital. Third pilot sustained fatal injuries. A Court of Inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident’’.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman who is already in the city for the event, said after attending a function in the city that she was aware of the incident. ‘’Yes. I am aware of the incident,’’ she said without elaborating when reporters sought her reaction over the accident.
The incident comes close on the heels of a air crash involving HAL refurbished IAF Mirage 2000 war jet that crashed within HAL airport killing two test pilots belonging to Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE) were killed last week. (UNI)
One pilot killed, two others sustain injuries as two ‘Suryakiran’ Hawk jets collide mid air
