An instructor and a trainee pilot of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy (IGRUA) were killed when their aircraft crashed in the hills near Bhukkutola village of Lanji in the neighbouring Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh at around 3.30 pm on Saturday. As per details, IGRAU flying instructor Captain Mohit and a female trainee pilot (whose name could not be confirmed till last reports came in) took off in DA40 single engine aircraft from the Birsi Airport in Gondia as was the routine, at around 3 pm on Saturday. It is suspected that due to bad weather, the aircraft crashed on the hills near Bhukkutola village. The aircraft caught fire in which bodies of Captain Mohit and trainee pilot were badly burnt. On getting information, a team of firefighters and rescue workers from Birsi along with officials concerned rushed to the spot, informed Satya Kumar, Administrative Officer of IGRAU.

 

The wreckage of the aircraft was traced on the hills. The villagers were first to reach the spot. It may be noted that previously too couple of incidents involving trainee aircrafts had been happened. Speaking to The Hitavada, Balaghat SP Samir Saurabh confirmed the crash and told that they got information at around 3.45 pm. As the area falls under the naxal-infested belt, firstly security forces were summoned to the spot and then other rescue personnel reached the site after the area was cordoned off. “We have recovered both the bodies which are badly burnt. The spot comes under the jurisdiction of Lanji police station,” he added.