Bengaluru: One pilot is suspected to be dead and two pilots were injured when two jets of the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team collided while attempting a mid-air spin manoeuvre during rehearsals for the upcoming Aero India show at the Yelahanka airbase, Bengaluru.
Three pilots were involved in the crash of the two Hawk Mk-132 aircraft. One aircraft was flying with both seats occupied, said an eye-witness. The people witnessed two flashes after the collision which indicate two chutes being deployed. Unfortunately, the third pilot was not able to eject on time say sources.
Injured Surya Kiran pilot
The jets were involved in an acrobatic manoeuvre where the upper jet flies in close proximity in an inverted position over the lower jet and they exchange positions by spinning. Reportedly, the lower aircraft was flying with two seats occupied while the upper aircraft had only the pilot when they collided.
Director General Karnataka State Police and chief of fire & emergency services, M N Reddi, tweeted: ‘One IAF pilot suspected to have died in the air crash. Reportedly two civilians were also injured. Fire safety personnel rushed to spot doused flames in a building that was demolished when the jets crashed.’
Bengaluru: One pilot is suspected to be dead and two pilots were injured when two jets of the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team collided while attempting a mid-air spin manoeuvre during rehearsals for the upcoming Aero India show at the Yelahanka airbase, Bengaluru.