In an unfortunate incident, two aircraft of the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team crashed on Tuesday, just a day before the start of the 12th edition of Aero India 2019 at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru. They were rehearsing for the Aero India show at the Bengaluru airbase. There is no information regarding any casualty in the incident so far, but more details are awaited. Two search helicopters have already rushed towards the spot, but reports suggest they have been ejected safely.
The Bengaluru Police told ANI: "One civilian hurt. Both pilots have ejected, the debris has fallen near ISRO layout, Yelahanka new town area." These pilots of Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team were practicing formation aerobatics when they lost the control, and the aircraft collided before coming crashing down from the sky. While two pilots were ejected safely, another pilot is reportedly critically injured.
#WATCH Two aircraft of the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team crash at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru, during rehearsal for #AeroIndia2019. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/kX0V5O0n6R
- ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
Wing Commander, Praful Bakshi, told India Today: "It requires a tremendous amount of expertise, and such crashes keep on happening all over the world. This is extremely dangerous, and requires hours and hours of practice. The incident is quite unfortunate, but now the probe will be done, and experts will analyse it."
2.12pm:The Indian Air Force confirms damage to life and property in the vicinity of crash site is being ascertained.
Inidan Air Force (IAF): Damage to life and property in the vicinity of crash site is being ascertained. A Court of Inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident. https://t.co/QiUV6VOpNx
- ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
1.21pm: The rescue operation is underway at the crash site in Bengaluru.
1.12pm: MN Reddi, Karnataka DG Police, says one of the IAF pilots is suspected to have died in the air crash.
One IAF pilot suspected to have died in the air crash.
- M.N.Reddi, IPS (@DGP_FIRE) February 19, 2019
1.01pm: One of the pilots has been feared dead after the jet crash during the rehearsal, though the Indian Air Force is yet to confirm the news.
12.51pm: The latest visuals regarding the aircraft crash show the two aircraft falling from the sky after the crash.
#WATCH Two aircraft of Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team crashed today at Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru, during rehearsal for #AeroIndia2019. One civilian hurt. Both pilots ejected, the debris has fallen near ISRO layout, Yelahanka new town area. #Karnatakapic.twitter.com/gJHWx6OtSm
- ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
12.15pm: Angad Singh, an aviation enthusiast who was present at the crash site, posted visuals on Twitter immediately after the crash.
Two suryakiran aircraft have just collided. I see smoke and saw two chutes. No word on anything more at the moment. pic.twitter.com/WZwHp1Tyyp
- Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019
This was the manoeuvre. The upper jet (inverted) was flying with a single pilot. The lower one with both seats occupied. pic.twitter.com/YbMJhOVabc
- Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019
12.00am: As per the earlier plan, a battery of US Naval assets, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, was supposed to be on display at the Aero India Show from February 20 to 24. In the Indoor Pavilion, scaled models of LCA-Tejas variants, Airforce Mark-1, Medium Weight Fighter, Naval Variants and also trainer variants were also scheduled to be displayed.
Edited by Manoj Sharma