Private Pilot Training Aircraft Crashes in Amreli, Pilot Dies

Synopsis

A trainee pilot tragically died when a small aircraft from a private aviation training school crashed in Gujarat's Amreli district. Eyewitnesses reported a sudden nosedive and explosion, but fortunately, no civilians were injured. The DGCA is investigating the incident while concerns over flight training safety protocols resurface.

Key Takeaways

Trainee pilot Aniket Mahajan died in a training aircraft crash.
The incident occurred in a residential area of Amreli, Gujarat.
No civilians were reported injured in the crash.
The DGCA is investigating the cause of the accident.
Concerns over safety protocols in private flying schools have been highlighted.

Amreli, April 22 (NationPress) A trainee pilot lost his life when a small aircraft from a private aviation training academy crashed in a residential neighborhood of Gujarat's Amreli district on Tuesday.

The victim, identified as Aniket Mahajan, was conducting a solo training flight at the moment of the tragedy.

Witnesses reported that the aircraft abruptly nosedived and struck the ground, resulting in a loud explosion upon impact. The blast instilled panic among nearby residents, many of whom fled their homes in fear.

Thick smoke rose from the wreckage as flames consumed the crash site. Emergency response teams from the fire department and local police quickly arrived and commenced rescue efforts. Despite their swift actions, Mahajan could not be rescued.

Officials confirmed that no civilians on the ground were harmed in the incident. The training aircraft was operated by a private pilot training institution, which conducts multiple solo flight training sessions as part of its program. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with technical teams looking into possible mechanical failure, human error, or adverse weather conditions.

This incident has reignited concerns regarding the safety measures implemented by private flying schools in Gujarat. It follows closely after another crash involving a female trainee pilot on the outskirts of a village in Mehsana, where she sustained only minor injuries and was rescued in time.

Authorities have secured the crash site and launched a formal investigation.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also expected to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the specific circumstances that led to this fatal incident.

Major cities such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mehsana, Rajkot, and Amreli are home to numerous flight training institutes that serve both domestic and international students. Institutions like Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics in Vadodara, Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics Ltd (AAA), and Captain Sahil Khurana Aviation Academy in Mehsana are among the leading establishments offering Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Private Pilot License (PPL) training.

According to civil aviation authorities, Gujarat boasts over a dozen accredited Flying Training Organizations (FTOs), with more than 300 to 400 trainees enrolling annually. These academies operate small aircraft such as Cessna 152s and 172s, with training covering solo flight hours, cross-country navigation, and simulator sessions. With the growing demand for commercial pilots in India, the state has seen a consistent rise in enrollment figures. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees these training schools under regulatory guidelines.