One Pilot Dead as 2 IAF Surya Kiran Hawks Crash During Rehearsals For Aero India Expo in Bengaluru

Two Surya Kiran aircraft (Hawks) of the IAF crashed during a practice sortie near the  Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru on Tuesday, a day before the opening of the Aero India show.

"One pilot has succumbed to injuries in the Surya Kiran jet crash, two others are safe," a police official said.

A civilian was also injured in the mishap, police said.

"I'm aware of it (incident)," defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, but did not elaborate further when asked about the accident.

Surya Kiran aerobatic team has been an eye catcher at multiple Aero India shows and has recently upgraded to the Hawk from Kiran aircraft.

The team flew in complete formation just on Monday and all parameters of the flights were reported to be normal.

On Tuesday, the team again took off for morning sorties with the Aero India inaugural scheduled for Wednesday when two aircraft collided with each other in the airspace near Nitte Meenakshi Engineering College.

Credit: www.hindustantimes.com

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