Bengaluru: The Indian Air Force’s two Surya Kiran aircraft collided mid-air during rehearsals on Tuesday afternoon for the Aero India 2019 defence exhibition in Bengaluru from Wednesday.
The two aircraft, of the aerobatics wing of the air force, were practicing spin manoeuvres when the accident happened, eye witnesses said. According to initial reports, two pilots managed to eject from the planes, but it is still unclear how many were on board.
Report suggested a probe has been launched into the mishap.
One of the eye witnesses claimed he saw two chutes ejecting as the two aircraft collided.
Two suryakiran aircraft have just collided. I see smoke and saw two chutes. No word on anything more at the moment. pic.twitter.com/WZwHp1Tyyp
— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019
The Surya Kiran aerobatic team has been an eye catcher at multiple aero India shows and had recently upgraded to the Hawk from Kiran aircraft.
The 12th edition of Aero India 2019, an international aerospace and defence exhibition, will be held from 20-24 February at Yelahanka in Bengaluru.
