Mid-air collision in Bengaluru: 2 IAF Surya Kiran aircraft crash; 1 pilot feared dead, 2 injured

Two aircraft of the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aerobatics team have crashed at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru. The twin crash came during rehearsals for the Aero India 2019 expo. One pilot is feared dead, while two others are injured but safe, according to officials.

The two aircraft reportedly collided mid-air during the rehearsals for the annual Aero India expo, which is set to begin in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

One pilot is feared dead in the incident, said MN Reddi, Karnataka's DGP for Fire and Rescue Services. He said two other pilots had ejected and sustained injuries but are safe.

Though the crash happened over the Yelahanka airbase, some of the debris is reported to have fallen on the nearby ISRO Layout. Some parts of this area have been cordoned off.

Spot visuals: Two aircraft of Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team crashed today at Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru, during rehearsal for #AeroIndia2019. One civilian hurt. Both pilots ejected, the debris has fallen near ISRO layout, Yelahanka new town area. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/SaQ5NznTjF

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019

An eyewitness at the site, who works for an aviation website, tweeted that the aircraft were involved in a manoeuvre when they seem to have collided. He said the nose section of one of the aircraft seem to be sheared off.

Two suryakiran aircraft have just collided. I see smoke and saw two chutes. No word on anything more at the moment. pic.twitter.com/WZwHp1Tyyp

— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019

Three pilots involved. One aircraft was flying with both seats occupied. I hope my chute count was wrong.

— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019

Arjun Sarup managed this photograph. One aircraft, I believe the lower of the two in formation, has its nose sheared off. Am only reporting what I know and have seen. No speculation on pilots or condition till I hear directly. pic.twitter.com/EJfculjmQO

— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019

SAR helicopters are up. Emergency vehicles have long since headed to the crash site. pic.twitter.com/vxTo5MOC6U

— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019

I saw TWO ejections from one aircraft. Two flashes, two chutes. Didn't see anything from the third, but hope I simply missed it. https://t.co/d3HeubP3Xp

— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019

This was the manoeuvre. The upper jet (inverted) was flying with a single pilot. The lower one with both seats occupied. pic.twitter.com/YbMJhOVabc

— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 19, 2019

The witness tweeted that the two aircraft were flying with three personnel - two in one and one in the other. But only two parachutes were sighted, suggesting that the third pilot may not have ejected.

There is no official confirmation on the status of the pilots.

Emergency teams have rushed to spot of the crash, and search-and-rescue helicopters have been pressed into service. More details are awited.