Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft of navy ditch into sea off Kochi
The aircraft had got airborne at 06:35 pm but developed critical engine malfunction and a controlled ditching was undertaken at sea.
A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) of the Indian Navy on a routine surveillance training mission from Naval Air Station, INS Garuda ditched at sea 09 miles from Kochi at about 07:30 pm on Wednesday.
The aircraft had got airborne at 06:35 pm but developed critical engine malfunction and a controlled ditching was undertaken at sea.
Other IN and ICG Aircraft flying in the vicinity were immediately diverted to search for the ditched aircraft. The wreckage has not yet been sighted. Aerial search by Indian Navy Dornier aircrafts and ALH choppers is in progress.
Meanwhile sips at sea with divers and other necessary equipment have also been diverted to the crash area which has a depth of 24 metres to locate and recover the RPA. No personnel were injured in the incident.A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident.