The Kiran MK-II plane, an aircraft of the Indian Navy’s ‘Sagar Pawan’ acrobatics team, crashed near New Bowenpally residential area during aerobics, killing the pilot and the co-pilot on the spot. Four persons were seriously injured in the crash which occurred on Wednesday.
Kiran MK-II plane, part of a team of four aircraft which were flying in formation and performing daring maneuvres at the India Aviation show, suddenly swirled off its normal route and nosedived into a building at Bowenpally.
According to witnesses, they heard a booming sound after which the aircraft came down crashing to the ground with a loud noise. Thick smoke engulfed the accident spot.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner AK Khan, who reached the spot immediately, said the pilot Rahul Nair and co-pilot Maurya died in the crash while four other injured had been shifted to hospital. The aircraft crashed against a three-storied building, which is located in a narrow alley thus making the rescue operations difficult. The fire engines and the rescue teams rushed to the spot.
The HAL Kiran HJT-16 (Ray of Light) is a two-seat basic jet trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics. The Sagar Pawan is part of the the aerobatics demo team of the Indian Navy's Aviation Arm, one of the two naval aerobatic teams in the world, the other being the Blue Angels of the US Navy.
Andhra Chief Minister K Rosiah and Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel were present at the Begumpet Airport – the venue of the air show - at the time of the incident. The Chief Minister expressed shock at the incident and directed his officials to provide all medical assistance to the injured persons in the crash.