2 killed in Indian air force trainer aircraft crash

Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed on Monday after a trainer aircraft crashed in Telangana's Medak district. A probe has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, NDTV reports.

The aircraft had taken off from the Air Force Academy (AFA) at Hyderabad for a routine training sortie when the accident occurred, the Air Force said. A trainer and a trainee pilot were inside the aircraft when it crashed, and both of them died.

"A Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft met with an accident today morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad. It is with deep regret that the IAF confirms both pilots onboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries," the Indian Air Force said on X (formerly Twitter).

The Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft is a single-engine aircraft, on which IAF pilots undergo basic training. The Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to find the cause of the accident.

/KN/