An Indian Air Force (IAF) Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainer crashed under unknown circumstances near Ravelli village, Toopran, Medak district. Both pilots died and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
The aircraft had taken off from Dundigal Air Force Academy at Hyderabad for a routine training sortie when the accident occurred, the Air Force said.
A trainer and a trainee pilot were inside the aircraft when it crashed, and both of them died.
“A Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft met with an accident today morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad. It is with deep regret that the IAF confirms both pilots onboard the aircraft sustained fatal injuries,” the Indian Air Force said on X (formerly Twitter).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered his condolences to the families of the pilots. “Anguished by this accident near Hyderabad. It is deeply saddening that two pilots have lost their lives. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” he said.
IAF had said that a Court of Inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
Previously in June, a Kiran trainer aircraft of Indian Air Force crashed into an open field in Chamarajanagar district’s Bhogapura village in Karnataka. The two pilots aboard the jet successfully ejected using parachutes and were reported to have landed safely.
