Two Pilots Killed in Training Aircraft Crash in Kanpur

A training aircraft crashed in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday, killing two pilots who were on board. The accident took place near the Ganga Barrage area, prompting police and emergency teams to rush to the crash site. The aircraft was being operated by Garg Aviation, a flying training organisation based at Kanpur Civil Aerodrome. According to officials, the four-seater twin-engine aircraft took off at around 11:30 am for a training sortie. It crashed roughly 20 minutes later while reportedly returning towards the airfield.

The two people on board were identified as instructor pilot Sachin Bhatia and trainee pilot Abhishek Pujari. Bhatia was from Gujarat and had several years of flying experience, while Pujari was from Karnataka and was undergoing pilot training. The aircraft came down in an open field near Natthapurwa village, close to the Ganga River. The impact severely damaged the aircraft. Police and other emergency personnel reached the location and secured the area as recovery operations began.

Officials have not yet established what caused the crash. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft's maintenance records, flight details, weather conditions and other technical evidence to determine what happened during the final stages of the flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed about the accident and is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions about the cause until the investigation is completed.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed his condolences to the families of the two pilots. He also directed officials to ensure that necessary assistance is provided following the accident. The Kanpur crash has brought renewed attention to safety procedures surrounding pilot-training flights. Further details are expected as investigators examine the wreckage and reconstruct the aircraft's final moments before the crash.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.