2 IAF officers killed in Assam chopper crash

Two Indian Air Force officers were killed on Thursday after the microlight aircraft they were travelling, crashed in Assam.

"Around 12 noon a microlight aircraft, airborne from Jorhat for a routine sortie, crashed. Both pilots were killed," said an IAF spokesperson.

The deceased were identified as Wing Commanders J James and D Vats.

The microlight was Virus SW-80 Garud, which India purchased from a Slovenian firm in 2015. As many as 194 microlight was bought to train the NCC cadets in flying as well as for the IAF and Navy aviators. The aircraft is used in reconnaissance and low-level flight safety missions.

A Court of Inquiry had been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, he said.

The 300 kg aircraft is powered by an 80 HP aviation certified engine and can reach a maximum speed of more than 220 km/hour, fly for a minimum of three hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 6,000 metres.