Accident Report

http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/13/stories/2008051350610100.htm
Photo: Mohd. Yousuf
In ruins: The wreckage of the HPT-32 aircraft that crashed in the fields in Kanugunta village of Medak district on Monday.

Woman trainee pilot killed in air crash
Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: A 21-year-old trainee pilot of the Indian Air Force Geetika was killed instantly when the HPT-32 aircraft she was flying crashed at 4.10 p.m. on Monday.

The plane crashed in Kanugunta village in Medak district, some 55 km away from here. An eyewitness, Nagaraju, who was working in his fields some distance away, said he heard a loud crash and ran towards the spot where he saw the mangled aircraft.

Geetika had completed 11 months of training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal and would have received her wings soon. The crash took place barely six km from the academy and in normal course, she would have touched down a few minutes later.

When this correspondent reached the spot in Kanugunta, the academy personnel, led by Squadron Leader Rajneesh had cordoned off the place. He declined to speak about the accident or about the age and condition of the trainer aircraft saying that the academy’s investigation wing was already on the job.

Security personnel said the two most recognisable parts were the tail and the engine. The charred body of Geetika was shifted to the military hospital.

http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=8312

IAF Woman trainee pilot killed in crash
5/13/2008 4:52:39 PM

Remains of the aircraft HPT 32 after it crashed on Monday
In yet another crash involving a trainer aircraft, a woman flying cadet of the Indian Air Force (IAF)was killed. Her aircraft crashed during a routine training flight near Hyderabad on Monday (May 12) afternoon.

IAF officials said Flying Cadet 21-year-old Deepika Sharma was conducting a solo flight during the first stage flying training when her aircraft plunged to the ground minutes after take-off. According to the initial reports the engine of the aircraft HPT 32 caught fire. The aircraft HPT 32 Deepak is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and is used for initial pilot training. A prototype of this fully aerobatic aircraft was inducted in 1997.

This is only the second fatal crash involving a lady pilot since women were inducted as Short Service Commission officers into the Air Force. In 1996, Flying Officer Harita Deol was killed when her Avro transport aircraft crashed near Chennai on a ferry flight to Hyderabad.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/308622.html

Woman IAF flying cadet killed in trainer crash
Express News Service
Posted online: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 2300 hrs Print
Flying Cadet Deepika Sharma’s aircraft plunged to the ground minutes after take-off

New Delhi, May 12: In yet another crash involving a trainer aircraft, a woman flying cadet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was killed when her HPT 32 aircraft crashed during a routine training flight near Hyderabad on Monday afternoon.

IAF officials said Flying Cadet Deepika Sharma was conducting a solo flight during the first stage flying training when her aircraft plunged to the ground minutes after take-off.

This is only the second fatal crash involving a lady pilot since women were inducted as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers into the Air Force. In 1996, Flying Officer Harita Deol was killed when her Avro transport aircraft crashed near Chennai on a ferry flight to Hyderabad. Women are inducted in the flying branch as transport and helicopter pilots, but are not eligible to qualify as fighter pilots.

Sharing details about Monday’s incident, sources at the Air Force Training Academy said a technical problem in the single engine trainer seems to have caused the crash.

Officers at the academy said final communication with the pilot indicated that the engine of the trainer caught fire during the flight. A detailed Court of Inquiry has been instituted.

The crash comes weeks after a newly acquired Hawk Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) of the IAF crashed at Bidar. While both pilots remained unhurt, the incident once again brought IAF’s training program under scrutiny.

The HPT 32, which is manufactured by HAL, is a single engine aircraft that is used to impart first stage or initial flying training to cadets. While the aircraft has two seats, Flying Cadet Sharma was flying alone to get her required ‘solo hours’.

Cadets graduate to the Kiran trainers for second stage faster flying training after getting initiated in the HPT 32. The newly acquired British-made Hawk trainers fill a vital gap in India’s fighter pilot training program and will be used to impart fourth and final stage training to pilots.