Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing in Vijayapura Agricultural Field
A training flight turned into a dramatic emergency on Sunday afternoon when a light aircraft operated by RedBird Aviation was forced to crash-land in a farmer's field in Mangaluru village, located in Babaleshwar taluk of Vijayapura district. The incident occurred as the aircraft was en route from Kalaburagi to Belagavi.
Pilots Eject Before Impact, Suffer Serious Injuries
According to preliminary information provided by Vijayapura SP Laxman Nimbargi, both individuals on board managed to jump from the aircraft before it came to a stop. The pilot, identified as Capt Kunal Malhotra, AFI, and the trainee pilot, Goutham Sankar PR, were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed that both aviators sustained serious injuries during the ejection and subsequent crash. Their current medical condition remains under assessment by healthcare professionals.
Fuel Exhaustion Cited as Probable Cause
Initial reports from officials on the ground indicate that the aircraft, a Cessna 172 Tango Charlie model, was compelled to attempt an emergency landing after running out of fuel. This led to the loss of control, resulting in the aircraft toppling upon impact in the agricultural land.
The Babaleshwar police were promptly alerted and rushed to the crash site to secure the area and initiate preliminary inquiries. The wreckage of the small aircraft now lies in the field as authorities begin the process of investigation.
Local Crowd Gathers at Crash Site
The unusual event drew significant attention from local residents. Thousands of people congregated at the location in Mangaluru village to witness the aftermath of the crash-landing, creating a spectacle that temporarily disrupted normal activity in the rural area.
As the investigation unfolds, key questions remain regarding the flight's fuel management and the precise sequence of events that led to this harrowing incident. Aviation authorities are expected to conduct a thorough examination to determine the exact cause and any contributing factors.
