Tragic IAF Aircraft Crash in Telangana Claims Lives of Pilots

Two Indian Air Force pilots died on Monday, December 4. Their Pilatus trainer aircraft crashed at 8:55 am during training at Air Force Academy, Dindigul in Telangana. The pilots include an instructor and one cadet, said Indian Air Force officials. 

aircraft crashes caused two deaths in Telangana!

A Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft met with an accident on Monday morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad. The incident occurred in the Toopran mandal of the district, they said adding a trainer and a trainee pilot were inside the aircraft while it crashed. Both died in the incident. There has been no damage to any civil life or property.

#WATCH | A Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft met with an accident today morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad. Both pilots onboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries. No damage to any civil life or property has been reported: Indian Air Force officials https://t.co/EbRlfdILfg pic.twitter.com/Eu65ldloo6

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sorrow over the incident saying “Anguished by this accident near Hyderabad. It is deeply saddening that two pilots have lost their lives. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families.”

Anguished by this accident near Hyderabad. It is deeply saddening that two pilots have lost their lives. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. https://t.co/K9RljlGu0i

— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) December 4, 2023

“One Pilatus PC 7 Mk Il trainer aircraft met with an accident today morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad. It is with deep regret that the IAF confirms both pilots onboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries. No damage to any civil life or property has been reported. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.” Indian Air Force reported.

A Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft met with an accident today morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad. It is with deep regret that the IAF confirms both pilots onboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries. No damage to any civil life or property has been…

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 4, 2023

“It’s a Training Aircraft from Dindigul airport. There were two people inside the aircraft, one trainer and a trainee. The airport staff and clue team are on the spot. The firefighters doused the fire,” SP Rohini said. The reason for the accident is yet to be known. The IAF said that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Why was IAF’s aircraft crash incidence?

IAF’s aircraft crash incidences seem to have increased in recent years. In June this year, IAF’s Kiran trainer aircraft crashed in an open field in Karnataka’s Chamrajnagar but the pilot sustained minor injuries. In May an Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. In March, an aircraft crashed with two trainee pilots on board, in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh.

This time IAF aircraft had taken off from the Air Force Academy at Hyderabad for a routine training sortie when the accident occurred.