A tragic incident occurred in central India on Sunday, March 19, as a trainer aircraft crashed, killing a flight instructor and a female trainee pilot. The Aircraft Crashes incident took place in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh state, a hilly region that has been plagued by Maoist-inspired Naxalite insurgents.
The aircraft belonged to the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRAU) and was on a training sortie when it crashed. Indian media reports suggest that bad weather may have been the cause of the crash.
The bodies of the pilot believed to be Mohit Thakur, and the female trainee pilot, Vrikshanka Maheshwari, were recovered from the site of the crash. The incident took place in a Naxalite-affected area, and security forces were immediately summoned to the site.
According to an official, the trainer aircraft took off from an airstrip in the neighbouring Gondia district at 3:06 pm and lost connection with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 3:11 pm. “The trainer aircraft with flight instructor captain Mohit took off from Birsi airport on a routine sortie at around 3 pm. It reportedly crashed due to bad weather in the hills near Bhukkutola village,” he said. “Prima facie, both of them perished in the crash.”
An investigation into the crash is ongoing, according to police officials.
Table: Summary of the Incident
| Date | March 19, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Aircraft | Trainer aircraft belonging to Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRAU) |
| Casualties | 2 fatalities: flight instructor and female trainee pilot |
| Suspected caused bad | Bad weather |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
This unfortunate Aircraft Crashes incident is a reminder of the risks associated with aviation training, even in well-established institutions like the IGRAU. It also highlights the challenges of operating in areas affected by insurgency and unrest, which can complicate rescue and recovery efforts.
Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased, and we hope that the investigation sheds light on the cause of the crash and helps prevent similar incidents in the future.
Aircraft Details that Crashes in Central India:
| Date | June 3, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Antonov An-32 |
| Operator | Indian Air Force |
| Flight Number | IAF AN-32 |
| Origin | Jorhat Airbase, Assam, India |
| Destination | Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground, Arunachal Pradesh, India |
| Passengers | 13 |
| Crew | 15 |
| Fatalities | 13 |
| Survivors | 15 |
| Suspected cause mechanical | Mechanical failure or pilot error |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
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