IAF Trainer Plane Crashes in Tamil Nadu, Pilot Ejects Safely

Image Source: Internet

A routine training mission turned into a narrow escape for a pilot of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday when his Pilatus PC-7 aircraft crashed near Tambaram in Chennai. Miraculously, the pilot ejected safely and was later taken back to the base by an IAF helicopter. The incident occurred near the Air Force Station in Tambaram, home to the Flying Instructor's School, which trains experienced pilots from the IAF and friendly foreign countries. The Pilatus PC-7 is a Swiss-made, single-seater training aircraft used by the IAF for basic training functions. According to officials, a court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash. This is the second incident involving a Pilatus aircraft in recent years. In December 2023, a similar aircraft crashed in Telangana's Medak district, resulting in the loss of two IAF pilots. The Pilatus PC-7 was acquired by the IAF around 15 years ago to replace the HPT-32 fleet, and has since been used to train young pilots during their initial training.