The IAF said that a microlight aircraft was safely force-landed in an uninhabited area and that a court of inquiry had been ordered into the incident.
An Indian Air Force (IAF) trainer aircraft was forced to land into a pond during a routine training flight in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday, leading emergency teams to reach the site near the airport.
Both the pilots have been rescued safely, officials told HT.
Although it was initially suspected to be a crash, officials later informed that the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing after a technical issue developed mid-flight.
Eyewitnesses said the small propeller plane appeared to lose control before diving into the water. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the area as local residents moved in to assist, before National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) divers and fire tenders arrived and secured the scene.
Visuals from the scene showed parts of the aircraft across the ground, as groups of onlookers gathered nearby.
Indian Air Force issues statement
In an official statement posted on X, the Indian Air Force said that a microlight aircraft was safely force-landed in an uninhabited area and that a court of inquiry had been ordered into the incident.
“A Microlite aircraft of the IAF, while undertaking a routine sortie, from AF Station Bamrauli near Prayagraj at 1215 hrs on 21 Jan 26, experienced technical malfunction, and was safely force landed in an uninhabitated area, ensuring no damage to civil life or property,” it said.
The statement further said, “Both the pilots on board are safe. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered by IAF to ascertain the cause.”
Earlier, Wg Cdr Debartho Dhar, PRO and spokesperson (defence), Prayagraj Region, told HT that the incident involved a two-seater microlight training aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The aircraft had taken off earlier from Air Force Station Bamrauli in Prayagraj and developed a technical issue mid-flight, which forced it to make an emergency parachute landing at the site at 12.07 pm, he said.
“Both the IAF officers on board the aircraft have been rescued and are fine,” he added.
IAF aircraft crash in November
Earlier in November last year, an Indian Air Force aircraft crashed near Tambaram in Chennai’s Chengalpattu district, but the pilot managed to escape after ejecting safely.
The ‘Pilatus PC-7’ was reported to be on a routine training mission at the time of the crash.
The Indian Air Force later confirmed the incident, saying a probe had been ordered and that no damage to life or property was reported.
“An Indian Air Force PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed at about 1425 Hr near Tambaram, Chennai, today. The pilot ejected safely, and no damage to civil property has been reported. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of accident,” the IAF said on X.