Pilot killed during practice ahead of Aero India Show

BENGALURU: A pall of gloom descended on India’s premier Aero India air show on Tuesday after a pilot was killed when two jets collided during an aerobatic manoeuvre at a practice session ahead of the event. The pilot, Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, was killed in the collision that broke his plane apart in the air, while two pilots in the other aircraft had a close shave as they managed to eject in time.

The crash was captured on video by onlookers, who had gathered for the rehearsals a day before the show officially kicks off. A court of inquiry was ordered following the accident.

The video showed the jets coming dangerously close during an inverted flight manoeuvre as part of the air show display. It showed the aircraft on top dipping and hitting the tail of the second plane, before breaking off in two with the nose section smashed. The second plane managed to retain control long enough for the two pilots to eject. Officials said the two pilots were injured but stable after the crash.

The jets were part of the nineplane Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) that the air force has raised for displays and is considered to have the best pilots as members, given the complexity of manoeuvres that include high speed passes, formation flying and precision take-off and landing.

The team was recently equipped with the Hawk trainer jets and was to be the prime attraction at Aero India, along with a team of Sarang helicopters that also performs similar aerial displays. Besides the loss of the pilot, the accident came as a double whammy for the Air Force that was already struggling with a limited fleet of trainers to coach young pilots and had sent urgent requests to the defence ministry for additional planes.

One of the surviving pilots was probably on a familiarisation or photography mission as the team usually operates the trainers with one pilot only for its air displays, according to people aware of the matter. The Air Force said that it was conducting an inquiry into the crash and would not comment on the possible cause prior to the conclusion of the probe.