Prayagraj Aircraft Crash: An Indian Air Force microlight trainer plane fell down into a pond during a standard training mission in Prayagraj. The mishap happened in a residential part of the UP city. The incident triggered an immediate response from the Indian Air Force and the authorities.
Emergency Landing-Prayagraj Aircraft Crash
The two-seater IAF microlight trainer plane is reported to lost its balance before it dived into a pond behind Kayastha Pathshala College (KP College), situated near Vidyawahini School.
According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft started flying extremely low in a circular motion before it abruptly dived into the water body.
Many onlookers rushed to the accident scene after seeing black smoke. Fire engines and National Disaster Response Force (NRDF) divers rushed immediately after.
It is believed that the aircraft’s engine failed immediately after taking off from the Central Air Command Headquarters that is also known as the Bamrauli Airport.
There have been no reports of losses to life or civilian properties.
Investigation Ordered
The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. The IAF and relevant authorities have already started extraction operations of the aircraft wreckage from the accident site.
While undertaking a routine sortie, the Microlite aircraft of the Indian Air Force that took off at 1215 hrs on January 21, 2026, suffered technical malfunction leading to the aircraft fall.
Wing Commander Debartho Dhar, PRO and spokesperson (defence), Prayagraj Region, remarked the incident involved an IAF two-seater microlight training aircraft. It was remarked that the aircraft occupants were forced to make an emergency parachute landing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Manish Shandilya remarked the IAF aircraft developed a technical snag when it was taking a sortie towards Phaphamau and the Sangam area.
Last year, an IAF aircraft crashed near Tambaram in Chennai’s Chengalpattu district but the pilot thankfully managed to escape after he ejected himself safely.
