Prayagraj, India: A two‑seater Indian Air Force (IAF) microlight trainer aircraft made an emergency landing into a pond near KP College in Prayagraj on Wednesday afternoon after developing a technical snag mid‑flight, officials and eyewitnesses said.
The aircraft, which had departed on a routine training sortie from Air Force Station Bamrauli at approximately 12:15 pm, reportedly lost altitude after a suspected technical malfunction, possibly related to engine failure, according to defence sources and eyewitness accounts.
Eyewitnesses said the light trainer circled at low altitude before descending into the water‑hyacinth covered pond behind KP College, generating a loud noise that drew immediate attention from local residents.
Local residents were first on the scene and played a critical role in assisting the two pilots out of the shallow, muddy water before formal emergency teams arrived. Police, fire brigade personnel and rescue divers were deployed shortly after the incident was reported.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Manish Shandilya confirmed that both crew members escaped without injuries and that there were no reports of civilian casualties or property damage.
In a statement released on the IAF’s official social media channels, the Air Force said, “A Microlite aircraft of the IAF, while undertaking a routine sortie, from AF Station Bamrauli near Prayagraj at 1215 hrs on January 21, 2026, 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.”
The IAF further announced that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the malfunction and to review flight records, maintenance logs and pilot reports as part of the formal investigation process.
Previous Incidents:
In 2025, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar two-seater fighter jet crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat, during a night training mission on April 2, 2025, after the aircraft encountered a technical malfunction mid-air, forcing the pilots to eject to safety, officials said. One pilot succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident and was later confirmed dead, while the other was rescued and is undergoing treatment in Jamnagar.
The crash occurred in an open field near Suvarda village, about 12 km from Jamnagar city, triggering a fire and scattering wreckage, though there were no civilian casualties or damage to nearby property. The IAF expressed deep regret over the loss, extended condolences to the bereaved family, and announced that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. Later in the same year, a twin-seater Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed on July 9, 2025, near Bhanuda village in Churu district, Rajasthan, during a routine training sortie, killing both pilots on board, defence officials confirmed.
The aircraft, which had taken off from Suratgarh Air Force Base, went down in an agricultural field around mid-afternoon, scattering wreckage across the impact zone, and causing no reported damage to civilian property.
