Feb 19, 2019
BENGALURU, Feb 19: A pilot was killed today when two Indian Air Force Surya
Kiran jets performing aerobatics collided mid-air during a rehearsal for the
five-day Aero India 2019 show opening here on Wednesday.
The Hawk jets caught fire and burst into flames. The mishap took place in Yelahanka airbase. Two pilots are admitted to hospital with injuries. The planes were
flying one above the other in a manoeuvre. They crashed into a residential area
but at a deserted place. The incident occurred at 11:50 am.
The planes had three pilots. Wg Cdr VT Shelke and Sqn Ldr TJ Singh ejected
while Wg Cdr Sahil Gandhi was killed.
Defence Minister Sitharaman was scheduled to inaugurate the biennial event
organised by her Ministry on Wednesday. Surya Kiran performs breathtaking manoeuvres.
The aerobatic squadron is a regular highlight of the aero show. Bengaluru has
been the venue since the Aero India started in 1996. Visitors throng the place
to watch the show as also business representatives from abroad.
Earlier, a Mirage-2000 trainer aircraft of the IAF had crashed at the Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited airport here on February 1, killing two pilots.
