Pilot dead as Surya Kiran Aerobatics aircraft crash after collision in Bengaluru

suryakiran-jet-crash-bhanu Officials and rescue workers at the crash site of the two jets of Surya Kiran Aerobatics team near the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru | Bhanu Prakash Chandra

One Surya Kiran Aerobatics team pilot, who was part of a team rehearsing for the AeroIndia 2019 show, died after two aircrafts collided mid-air and crashed in Yelahanka airport base on Tuesday. 

Eariler reports had said that two pilots had ejected safely while the condition of the third pilot was not yet known. It is assumed that the third pilot who could not eject died in the crash. "There were three pilots, one has died, two are safe with injuries," DGP Fire Services M.N. Reddi who rushed to the spot.

The mishap occurred during a sortie as part of the rehersal for the five-day Asia's premier Air show. The aerobatics team was rehearsing for the AeroIndia 2019 show set to commence on Wednesday in Bengaluru. The debris has fallen near the ISRO layout in Yelahanka new town area, according to reports. Police said that one civilian was hurt in the accident.

A video of the crash site showed thick black smoke rising from the area. Another video showed the two jets falling rapidly to the ground.

Surya Kiran is India's aerobatics team and are flying the Hawk AJT craft for the AeroIndia 2019 show in Bengaluru.

The cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained.

(With inputs from PTI)

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