Trainee Pilot Seriously Injured After Aircraft Propeller Strike In Kanpur
Pilot injured in a post-landing aircraft accident.
A woman trainee pilot sustained critical injuries after being struck by the spinning propeller of a training aircraft at Chakeri Airport in Kanpur during a night flying exercise. The incident occurred around 11:15 pm on Friday at a flying training organisation operated by Garg Aviation. Following the accident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grounded the aircraft involved and initiated a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the mishap.
According to the DGCA, the twin-engine Tecnam P2006T aircraft, registered as VT-NBV, was conducting a scheduled night instructional training sortie with a flight instructor and the trainee pilot on board. After the aircraft landed, the trainee reportedly deboarded while both engines were still running. As she moved away from the aircraft, she was struck on the back by one of the rotating propellers, resulting in grievous injuries.
The injured trainee was immediately rushed to a hospital in Kanpur, where she remains under medical treatment. The aviation regulator has not released additional details regarding her condition. Officials said emergency procedures were initiated promptly after the accident, and the incident has been classified as a ground collision involving a trainee pilot and the aircraft during post-landing operations.
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In response to the incident, the DGCA has removed the flight instructor from all flying training duties pending completion of the investigation. The regulator has also directed that the Tecnam P2006T aircraft involved in the accident will remain grounded and cannot be used for any flight operations until the inquiry is concluded. Authorities are examining whether established safety procedures were followed during passenger deboarding.
Investigators are focusing on the sequence of events that led to the trainee exiting the aircraft while the engines and propellers remained operational. The inquiry is expected to assess compliance with standard operating procedures, instructor supervision and ground safety protocols. The findings will determine whether any lapses contributed to the accident and whether further regulatory action is required.
The incident has once again highlighted the critical importance of strict adherence to aviation safety procedures during ground operations at flying training organisations. Aviation experts note that rotating propellers remain extremely hazardous even after landing, making proper shutdown procedures and supervised deboarding essential. The DGCA is expected to issue further updates after completing its investigation into the accident.
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