Kanpur: A pilot and co-pilot were killed after a private training aircraft crashed in a field near the banks of the Ganga in Kanpur on Thursday. The aircraft, operated by Kanpur-based aviation training institute Garg Aviation, crashed in the Ganga Barrage area, police said.
The two occupants were initially taken to a nearby hospital by local residents who rushed to the crash site following the incident. However, both succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been released. Police said the pilot had more than 3,000 hours of flying experience and was a resident of Gujarat, while the co-pilot was from Karnataka.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is set to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established.
Aircraft crashes near Ganga Barrage
The training aircraft reportedly went down in a field in the Ganga Barrage area of Kanpur on Thursday.
The location near the Ganga brought local residents to the spot soon after the crash. They found the pilot and co-pilot injured and immediately arranged for them to be transported to a nearby hospital.
Despite efforts to save them, both victims died from their injuries.
Police subsequently cordoned off the crash site and began preliminary proceedings. The authorities also informed the DGCA about the incident, paving the way for a specialised investigation into the crash.
The aircraft belonged to Garg Aviation, an aviation training institute based in Kanpur. The organisation conducts flight training, and the aircraft involved was being used for training-related operations.
Pilot had over 3,000 flying hours
Preliminary information released by police indicates that the pilot was an experienced aviator with more than 3,000 flying hours.
The pilot was reportedly a resident of Gujarat. The co-pilot was from Karnataka.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the names of the two victims or provided further details about their ages and backgrounds.
The presence of an experienced pilot has also made the circumstances of the crash a key focus of the forthcoming investigation.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s condition, maintenance records, flight path, weather conditions, communication records and other relevant technical information to determine what led to the accident.
However, officials have stressed that the exact reason for the crash cannot be established until a detailed investigation is completed.
DGCA to investigate crash
The DGCA will probe the circumstances that led to the aircraft crashing in the field.
A DGCA team is expected to reach the accident site and examine the aircraft and the surrounding area as part of the investigation.
The crash site has been secured by police to facilitate the investigation and preserve relevant evidence.
A detailed technical assessment will be required to establish whether the crash was caused by a mechanical issue, operational factors, weather conditions or another reason.
At present, police have not confirmed any specific cause.
The DGCA investigation is expected to provide further clarity on the sequence of events leading up to the crash and whether any safety or technical issues contributed to the accident.
Chief minister expresses condolences
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot.
The chief minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace for the departed souls. He also wished strength for the families to cope with the loss.
The accident has raised concerns over aviation safety and the risks involved in flight training operations.
As investigators begin examining the crash, officials are expected to focus on gathering technical evidence and reconstructing the aircraft’s final moments before it went down.
The identities of the deceased and further details about the flight are expected to be confirmed by the authorities.
For now, the cause of the accident remains unknown, and officials have said that conclusions will be drawn only after the DGCA completes its investigation.