Seoni, India: A training aircraft belonging to Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) skidded off the runway at Dhana Airstrip on Wednesday. The sole pilot aboard escaped without injury, police said.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Lokendra Singh, the aircraft veered off during take‑off and nosedived into scrubland adjacent to the airstrip just as authorities were preparing the runway for an emergency airlift of an injured soldier. “The solo pilot miraculously escaped without injuries,” he told IANS.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden loss of control, followed by a plume of dust and debris as the plane left the runway and hit rough terrain. The aircraft reportedly did not catch fire, and there was no immediate sign of a major structural breakup.
Dhana Airstrip located in Sagar district serves as the primary training base for Chimes Aviation Academy. CAA lists the Dhana facility among its certified flying bases.
The accident renews scrutiny over repeated safety‑related incidents at Dhana. CAA and the local administration have not yet released a detailed statement. An investigation is expected to determine whether pilot error, technical failure or runway/airstrip conditions caused the mishap.
Similar Training Aircraft Crash At Seoni Two Days Ago
About two days ago, a training aircraft belonging to Redbird Flight Training Academy crashed near Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh.
According to police and local reports, the aircraft struck a 33 kV high‑voltage power line while preparing to land near the village of Amgaon, roughly 2 km from Suktara Airstrip.
The wing’s impact severed the line, leading to a crash in a nearby field; both the pilot and the flight instructor identified as Ajit Anthony (instructor) and Ajit Chawda (trainee) sustained injuries but are now out of danger. In addition to the human injuries, the accident caused electricity disruption around 80–90 villages under the local power‑substation were plunged into darkness.
Previous Training Aircraft Incidents at Chimes Aviation Academy
- 6 April 2009, a training aircraft of Chimes Aviation Academy, a Cessna 172R registered VT‑CAI departed from Dhana Airstrip on a cross‑country solo training flight. On its return leg near Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh, the aircraft reportedly flew very low over the water, made a low pass near fishermen, and then plunged into the dam. The wreckage was recovered on 29 May 2009, after more than a month, with the aircraft destroyed, the engine hanging and the propeller facing downward. The lone trainee pilot on board tragically died.
- 3 January 2020, Dhana Airstrip, Sagar (MP), a Cessna 172 training aircraft of Chimes Aviation Academy crashed during landing at Dhana Airstrip. Both the instructor and trainee on board tragically lost their lives in the accident
- 17 July 2021, Dhana Airstrip, Sagar, a Cessna 172R (VT‑CAG) operated by the academy experienced a runway excursion during take‑off or landing at Dhana Airstrip. The aircraft skidded off the runway, but the trainee pilot escaped unhurt.
- 6 March 2024, Guna Airstrip, Guna district (MP), a Cessna 172S (VT‑CHP) developed engine trouble mid-flight while traveling from Neemuch to Dhana. The trainee pilot attempted an emergency landing at Guna Airstrip but lost control, crashing into bushes. The pilot was injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
