Picture Credits: @ians_india (X)
Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A trainee pilot from Pioneer Flying Academy had a narrow escape on Sunday afternoon when his training aircraft crashed into the boundary wall of Dhanipur Airstrip in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
Crash During Solo Flight
The incident occurred around 3:10 PM when the Diamond DA-40 aircraft, being operated on a solo training sortie, skidded off the runway and collided with the boundary wall of the airstrip. The pilot, identified as Pranav Jain, was in the process of landing when the mishap took place.
According to eyewitnesses and initial reports, the aircraft lost control moments before touchdown. Jain was promptly rescued from the cockpit and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Officials later confirmed that he sustained no injuries.
Possible Technical Fault
Preliminary assessments suggest that a technical malfunction may have contributed to the crash. While the precise cause remains under investigation, local authorities and aviation experts are examining the aircraft and reviewing airstrip conditions at the time of the landing.
The Diamond DA-40 sustained significant damage to its nose and front undercarriage. No fire was reported, and there was no collateral damage to nearby structures or personnel.
A History of Incidents at Pioneer Flying Academy
This is not the first time Pioneer Flying Academy has been in the news for safety-related incidents. In January 2022, a Cessna 172 aircraft from the same academy made an emergency landing in an agricultural field near Dhanipur airstrip during a night cross-country training session. Both the instructor and trainee pilot survived with minor injuries.
Picture Credits: AAIB (2022)
Repeated incidents have raised concerns about operational safety at Indian flight schools. In response to a spate of such accidents nationwide, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has intensified audits of Flying Training Organizations (FTOs), including Pioneer Flying Academy. These inspections have led to temporary suspensions and the imposition of stricter safety guidelines.
DGCA Monitoring and Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a full investigation into Sunday’s crash. The DGCA is expected to examine maintenance records, training logs, airstrip conditions, and flight data to determine the root cause.
Local administration officials in Aligarh have reported the matter to civil aviation authorities in Lucknow and Delhi. The incident is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of safety compliance at flight training institutes across India.
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