President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday conferred the Vayu Sena medal (gallantry) on wing commander Akshay Arun Mahale (29451) flying (pilot).According to the Ministry of Defence, on September 26, 2023, he was authorised to fly a low-level aerobatics display sortie from the front cockpit over a lake with a populated area and high terrain in proximity.
“During the profile while positioning for a slow speed run at a height of 270 m AGL, with throttle selected to max dry power, the pilot experienced a loss of thrust with RPM stagnating at 83 per cent and sudden rise in Turbine Gas Temperature (TGT) by 80-90Ā°C, which was way beyond the permissible limits. With only one engine available during this critical flight regime, the speed started to drop rapidly below 250 Kmph. At this stage, the ac started to lose height quickly with speed started dropping further, giving the pilot barely any time to recover the ac. Maintaining his calm composure in this grievous situation, the pilot turned away from a populated area,” the Ministry added.