IAF's Two-Seater Microlite Aircraft 'Force Lands' in Prayagraj After Technical Snag, Pilots Safe

A two-seater microlite aircraft of the Indian Air Force met with an accident in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Wednesday and landed into a water body. Both pilots who were onboard the aircraft are safe. The aircraft "force landed" in an uninhabited area after it experienced a technical malfunction, the Indian Air Force said in an official statement. A microlite aircraft is a small aircraft generally used for training, bird recce and survey purposes. As the aircraft landed into the waterbody near the K P College ground in the George Town area, the recovery system was initiated to rescue the pilots. The Prayagraj authorities have cordoned off the area, and an investigation into the incident is underway. In Prayagraj, Deputy Commissioner of Police

(City) Manish Shandilya said the aircraft was on a sortie towards Phaphamau and the Sangam area when its engine developed a technical snag. He said that the divers played an important role in the rescue operation.

He said there were two pilots onboard and they executed a controlled and safe landing in a pond near K P College in the George Town police area. With the help of police, fire brigade personnel and local residents, the pilots were rescued safely, Shandilya said, adding that divers played a crucial role in the rescue operation.

What Indian Air Force Said?

The Indian Air Force ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the incident. "A Microlite aircraft of the IAF, while undertaking a routine sortie, from AF Station Bamrauli near Prayagraj at 1215 hrs on 21 Jan 26, experienced technical malfunction, and was safely force landed in an uninhabitated area, ensuring no damage to civil life or property," the IAF said in the post.Both the pilots who were onboard the aircraft are safe, it said. "A Court of Inquiry has been ordered by IAF to ascertain the cause," it added.

Small Aircraft Crash Lands in Odisha

Earlier this month, a small aircraft had crash landed in Odisha's Rourkela. An aircraft of a private airline had made a crash landing near Rourkela on January 10, Odisha's Commerce and Transport minister BB Jena said. At least six people suffered minor injuries and one person had died in the incident. "One A-1 nine-seater private flight carrying six passengers from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar has met with an accident. The passengers have sustained minor injuries and are stable. It took place at Jalda, 10 kilometres from Rourkela. By the grace of God, this is not a major accident," Jena told reporters.Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport, Prasanna Pradhan said, "The flight was on its way from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela. It made a crash landing 10 km before Rourkela. There were 4 passengers and 2 crew members. All are safe. The flight is IndiaOne Air. The number of the light is C-208." The minister said the state government has apprised the Director General of Civil Aviation of the situation. "Our director will also soon visit the accident site," he said.Earlier this week, the company had assured that it would be hiring one member of the family and cover all their household expenses for the next five months, according to local media reports.