The burning wreckage of the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft that crashed. (Photo via X/@nabilajamal_)
New Delhi: Two Indian Air Force pilots – an instructor and a trainee – were killed when the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft they were flying during a training sortie crashed near Hyderabad on Monday morning. The aircraft took off from the the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, which is around 43 kilometres from the Telangana capital.
IAF PRO, Wing Commander Ashish Moghe, in a statement, said: “It is with deep regret that IAF confirms that both the pilots on board have sustained fatal injuries.” He also added that the crash didn’t damage any civilian life or property.
He said a court of inquiry (CoI) has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Rajnath expresses anguish
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, expressed his anguish over the accident that caused the death of two Air Force pilots. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he offered his condolences to the bereaved families.
Anguished by this accident near Hyderabad. It is deeply saddening that two pilots have lost their lives. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. https://t.co/K9RljlGu0i
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 4, 2023
About Pilatus PC 7
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a two-seat low-wing training aircraft, designed and manufactured in Switzerland by Pilatus Aircraft. The trainer is capable of all basic training functions, including aerobatics, instrument, tactical, and night flying.
An IAF Pilatus PC-7 Mk II. (File)
India signed a deal with Switzerland to buy 75 of these trainers from Pilatus Aircraft in May 2012. The IAF received the first batch of PC-7 Mk II in February 2013 and started replacing the erstwhile HPT-32 aircraft.
The Air Force trains pilots in them at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad as well as the Flying Instructors School at Tambaram near Chennai.
