The
plane crash at the air show which took place not too long after the inauguration of the
Indian Aviation Summit, has sent shock waves through the city.
The aircraft, an HJT-16 Kiran MK-II trainer plane, was part of a navy contingent, whose aerobatics team was called Sagar Pawan. The aircraft was built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). After a dive formation, the 4 planes in the aerobatics team, were leveling out in different direction, and that is when this aircraft made a fatal nose-dive.
The plane crash happened between 11:30am and 11:45am. The Government Of India press release confirms that the pilots, Commander SK Maurya and Lieutenant Commander Rahul Nair were both killed in the crash. Both pilots were based at Goa.
A Board of Inquiry is being ordered to investigate into the circumstances leading to the crash. The other three aircraft in the formation landed safely. 4 other people have been injured.
The 3-storeyed building that it crashed into was old and no longer lived in, so, thankfully, there aren't many casualities among on-lookers.
Officials have decided to go on with the Aviation Summit as scheduled.