Both pilots were killed after a Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft crashed at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru, news agency ANI reported.
#Visuals: Mirage 2000 trainer fighter aircraft of HAL crashes at HAL Airport in Bengaluru, two pilot dead. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/oM4CUEPu97
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2019
It was a twin-seat variant and both the pilots ejected during their take-off run. However, despite ejecting, both perished in this unfortunate incident. The reason of the crash is yet to be ascertained. According to reports, the incident happened near Yamalur off old Airport Road in Bengaluru.
The two pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Siddharth Negi and Squadron Leader Sameer Abrol, who were both part of Aircraft and System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru. The reasons for the crash are yet to be determined, sources said.
The state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) makes and upgrades aircraft for training and combat operations of the IAF as the country’s sole defence giant. It also maintains and operates the military airport in Bengaluru.
Recently, a pilot was killed after an Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed soon after taking off from the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat.
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