Two pilots killed as Mirage 2000 trainer fighter aircraft crashes at HAL Airport in Bengaluru
One pilot ejected but landed on the wreckage of the aircraft, and the other succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
Two pilots were killed when the Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft crashed at the HAL Airport in Bengaluru on Friday morning. The aircraft belonged to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and both pilots were officers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on secondment as test pilots.
The pilots who have been killed in mishap have been identified as Squadron Leader Negi and Squadron Leader Abrol.
Both pilots had ejected from the aircraft as it was going down. One of them was killed on the spot after he landed on the flaming wreckage of the aircraft. Rescue teams rushed the other pilot to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The video of the crash has gone viral on social media. Rescue teams have rushed to the spot.
Bengaluru's HAL Airport is a military facility that is also extensively used for testing of aircraft. It was Bengaluru's civilian airport as well till the new greenfield airport was opened in 2008. It is in a fairly dense part of the city, on Old Airport Road. It's location close to the heart of the city has meant it is used for VIP aircraft and business fliers.