New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) An Indian Air Force microlight aircraft on Wednesday made a forced landing in a pond during a routine sortie from Air Force Station Bamrauli in Prayagraj after developing a technical snag, with the IAF ordering a court of enquiry to ascertain the cause of the incident. Both the pilots are reportedly safe.
In a statement issued on X, the IAF stated, “A Microlite aircraft of the IAF, while undertaking a routine sortie, from AF Station Bamrauli near Prayagraj at 1215 hrs on 21st Jan 26, experienced a technical malfunction, and was safely force landed in an uninhabited area, ensuring no damage to civil life or property. Both pilots on board are safe. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered by IAF to ascertain the cause.”
Last year, the IAF suffered a number of losses pertaining to both the machine and the pilots following a number of crashes during the training routine and aerial display. On November 21, an indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, lost his life in the accident.
Earlier, on November 14, a Pilatus PC-7 Mk2 basic trainer aircraft crashed near Tambaram in Chennai while undertaking a routine training sortie. The pilot managed to eject safely and escaped without serious injuries. The aircraft was part of the IAF’s basic flight training fleet. On July 9, a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed in the Churu district of Rajasthan during a training mission. Both pilots on board sustained fatal injuries, making it one of the deadliest accidents of the year for the IAF.
Another accident involving a Dassault Rafale fighter jet was reported on May 7. Earlier, on April 3, a Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed near Jamnagar in Gujarat during a routine training mission. One pilot ejected safely, while the other was killed.
