Click to play videoNew Delhi/Bangalore: There was a major scare at the ongoing Aero Show in Bangalore on Thursday when a trainer aircraft apparently lost control and veered off the runway.
According to CNN-IBN Aviation Correspondent Karma Paljor, who was just 50 metres away from the scene of the accident, one tyre of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aircraft burst, throwing it off balance.
The prototype version of the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) piloted by Wing Commander Baldev Singh went into a grassy patch of land near the runway at Yelahanka airbase, the
venue for the air show, throwing up clouds of dust this afternoon.
Singh ejected from the cockpit safely.
Fire-tenders were immediately rushed to the spot and situation was reported to be under control. There was no report of fire.
The runway was closed for some time after the accident and all flying activity at the show was suspended.
The IJT, which is designed to be used by the IAF for initial training of its fighter pilots, was developed by HAL and National Aerospace Laboratories. It is yet to enter full production.
On February 2, a Dhruv advanced light helicopter of the IAF's Sarang aerobatic team plummeted to the ground while participating in practice ahead of the air show, killing co-pilot Squadron Leader Priye Sharma and seriously injuring pilot Wing Commander V Jetley.
However, it’s for the first time that such an incident has occurred at an aero show in India.
Meanwhile, Yelahanka Air base has suspended all flying activities after the crash. The aero show has been temporarily suspended.
Aviation companies from around the world have been taking part at the airshow, eying a share in the billions of dollars that this South Asian country is planning to spend in modernizing its military.
The five-day event at the Yelahanka air base has drawn 500 companies, including 275 foreign companies, more than ever before, Defense Production Secretary KP Singh said.
Forty-five foreign delegations and 28 air force chiefs are also attending the biennial show, which comes as India is emerging as one of the biggest buyers of military hardware in the global market.
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