IAF Trainer Aircraft Crashes Near Chennai During Routine Flight; Pilot Ejects Safely

A PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Chennai’s Tambaram area on Friday afternoon during a routine training sortie. The incident occurred at around 2:25 p.m., just a few kilometres from the IAF’s Tambaram Air Base, one of the oldest and most vital training centres in the country.

According to official sources, the pilot managed to eject in time and landed safely, sustaining no major injuries. “The pilot is safe, and no damage to civilian life or property has been reported,” an IAF spokesperson said in a brief statement. Quick-response teams and local authorities immediately cordoned off the crash site and began recovery operations.

Eyewitnesses in nearby residential areas reported hearing a loud noise moments before the aircraft went down. Within minutes, rescue and fire crews reached the site to contain the situation and prevent any secondary hazards. The wreckage was secured and transported for examination by a technical team.

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The Indian Air Force has launched a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash. While the exact reason remains unknown, officials indicated that the aircraft was on a scheduled training mission when the incident occurred. Tambaram is a key hub for basic flying training, where rookies undergo their first phases of flight instruction using aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II.

Incidents involving trainer aircraft are rare but not unprecedented, given their intensive usage for pilot training. The IAF said that safety measures were followed and that the pilot’s timely decision to eject prevented loss of life. More details are expected after the inquiry committee completes its investigation.

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