1 IAF pilot of Surya Kiran Aerobatic team dies in Yelahanka crash during Aero India rehearsal

An Indian Air Force pilot of Surya Kiran Aerobatic team died in a mid-air collision at the Yelahanka Air Base during Aero India 2019 rehearsal on Tuesday. According to latest reports, two civilians were also injured in the crash. The two jets were rehearsing for the Aero India show. In a statement, the Indian Air Force said that, “damage to life and property in the vicinity of crash site is being ascertained. A Court of Inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident.” The Air Force also said that three pilots were occupants. Two pilots ejected and have been evacuated to the Command Hospital. Third pilot sustained fatal injuries.

Asia’s largest air show, Aero India will begin from February 20. The city police have already issued a ban on any unmanned aircraft systems, balloons drones during 5-day mega show. In view of the aerospace expo at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, flying aerial platforms like UAVs or drones, UAS and balloons are banned over the city to maintain law and order under the prevailing security scenario," the police statement said.

Earlier, three Rafale fighter jets landed in Yelahanka Air Force Station to participate in Aero India Show. Two search and rescue choppers were seen hovering over the site of the crash.

The incident comes days after the Indian Army helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a potato field near Karnataka capital Bengaluru on February 5. The chopper made the emergency landing in a field at Talghatpora Police Station Limit in Kanakpora Taluk at around 1:15pm. The pilot ejected successfully, and no damage was reported to the chopper also. On the same day, another incident involving a private aircraft was reported from Pune. The pilot was injured after the aircraft of a private training institute crashed near Pune today. Earlier on February 1, two Indian Air Force pilots had lost their lives during Mirage 2000 sortie after it was upgraded by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Aero India Exhibition is organised every two years. With 11 successful editions since 1996, Asia’s largest air show has already carved a niche for itself. More then 60,000 business visitors and 1,00,000 general visitors attended Aero India 2017. Air Show of latest aircrafts of different countries are arranged at the venue during each day of the show for the benefit of visitors.

The logo for Aero India 2019 is inspired by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).  The Tejas LCA together with its variants, is the smallest and lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class. This single engine, Compound-Delta-Wing, Tailless Aircraft is designed and developed to meet diverse needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN).The Tejas LCA programme has achieved the rare distinction of completing over 4000 Successful Test Flights. The tagline for Aero India 2019, “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities” was created to communicate India’s value proposition in addressing the immense opportunities in the Aerospace and Aviation sectors in India today.

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