By IANS
Hyderabad : Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed early Tuesday when their trainer aircraft crashed at Hakimpet Air Force Academy on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Academy officials said the small aircraft crashed in the sprawling academy premises and both the trainer and trainee pilot were killed. They have been identified as Squadron Leader Bhagat, 33, and trainee pilot S.C. Pathi, 26, both residents of Lucknow.
The mishap occurred at 2.50 a.m. when the aircraft was on a night-time training sortie. “This unfortunate incident occurred when the aircraft was on a routine night-time sortie. We have lost our two young officers,” Wing Commander J.P.S. Chouhan of the academy told reporters.
The Kiran aircraft is believed to have caught fire soon after the crash, which took place minutes after take-off. The aircraft was completely gutted and the bodies were charred beyond recognition.
A technical snag in the aircraft is believed to have caused the mishap but academy authorities said they would not comment until the inquiry that has been ordered into the mishap was completed. “The actual facts will come out only after the court of inquiry,” said Chouhan.
Police officials said there were no other casualties on the ground as the plane crashed in an open area.