An Indian Air Force (IAF) trainer aircraft, Kiran, crashed on the outskirts of Chamarajanagar town on June 1, but the two pilots onboard managed to eject safely before the crash.
The incident occurred at Bhogapura, located approximately 10 km from Chamarajanagar town. The pilots, identified as Tejpal and Bhumika, sustained injuries but were airlifted to Bengaluru for treatment. According to local police and defence personnel, their injuries were not life-threatening.
The IAF is investigating the cause of the crash, stating that the pilots were on a routine training sortie. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact reason behind the accident.
Upon reaching the crash site, the Chamarajanagar district disaster management personnel observed that a section of the aircraft had caught fire after the crash.
Fortunately, there were no civilian casualties reported, and the wreckage of the aircraft was scattered across a barren area of land. Local residents who witnessed the crash promptly informed the police, and the disaster management cell was dispatched to conduct rescue and relief operations. However, the pilots had already parachuted to safety.
The investigation into the crash will shed light on the circumstances leading to the incident and help prevent future accidents in the Indian Air Force.
