Kanpur plane crash: 2 pilots killed as training aircraft goes down near Ganga
Synopsis
A twin-engine Tecnam trainer crashed near Kanpur's Ganga riverbank on 27 August, killing both the pilot and co-pilot — the third training aircraft accident in India in as many months. With the DGCA now investigating, the incident puts a spotlight on safety oversight at private aviation academies across the country.
Key Takeaways
A Tecnam twin-engine training aircraft crashed near the Ganga River in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh on 27 August at around 11:50 am IST .
Both occupants — pilot Sachin (Gujarat, 3,000+ flying hours ) and co-pilot Abhishek Pujari (Karnataka) — were killed.
The aircraft took off from Garg Aviation Training Centre near Natthapurwa village before losing control.
The DGCA has been informed and its team was dispatched to the crash site for a technical investigation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
The crash follows similar training aircraft accidents in Kasganj (June) and Baramati (May) , raising broader safety concerns.
Two pilots died on Thursday, 27 August after a twin-engine training aircraft crashed into a field near the banks of the Ganga River in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, at approximately 11:50 am IST. The four-seater Tecnam aircraft had taken off from the Garg Aviation Training Centre near Natthapurwa village under the Gwaltoli police station area before losing control and going down.
Who the Pilots Were
The pilot, identified as Sachin, was a resident of Gujarat and had accumulated more than 3,000 flying hours — a significant level of experience for a training aircraft operation. The co-pilot, Abhishek Pujari, hailed from Karnataka. Both were declared dead at the scene. Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal formally confirmed the fatalities.
What Happened at the Crash Site
Emergency services and local authorities reached the site shortly after receiving the alert. Police and rescue teams cordoned off the area to preserve evidence and prevent public access. According to officials, the aircraft apparently lost control before impact, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was promptly notified and its team was expected to reach the crash site to conduct a technical examination.
Government Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths, offering condolences to the bereaved families and praying for strength for those who lost their loved ones. Authorities said a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the crash.
A Pattern of Training Aircraft Accidents
This incident is not isolated. In June, a woman pilot escaped with minor injuries after a two-seater trainer went down in Kasganj district, also in Uttar Pradesh. Before that, in May, a training aircraft from the Redbird Flight Training Academy made a hard landing near Gojubavi village in Baramati, Maharashtra. The recurring nature of these incidents is likely to intensify scrutiny of safety protocols at private aviation training centres across India. The DGCA's findings in the Kanpur case are expected to be closely watched by the wider aviation training community.
Point of View
Kasganj in June, Kanpur in August — is not a coincidence; it is a pattern that demands regulatory attention. The DGCA has been notified each time, but public disclosure of findings from earlier crashes has been limited. India's private aviation training sector has expanded rapidly, and the pace of DGCA oversight has not visibly kept up. The fact that the Kanpur pilot had over 3,000 flying hours yet the aircraft 'apparently lost control' raises questions about aircraft maintenance standards, not just pilot error — a distinction that the investigation must address transparently.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kanpur plane crash on 27 August?
A four-seater, twin-engine Tecnam training aircraft crashed into a field near the Ganga River in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, at around 11:50 am on 27 August. Both the pilot and co-pilot on board were killed in the accident.
Who were the pilots killed in the Kanpur crash?
The pilot was identified as Sachin, a Gujarat resident with more than 3,000 flying hours. The co-pilot was Abhishek Pujari from Karnataka. Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal confirmed both deaths.
What was the cause of the Kanpur training aircraft crash?
The exact cause has not yet been determined. Officials said the aircraft apparently lost control before crashing. The DGCA has been informed and its team was expected at the site to conduct a detailed technical investigation.
Which aviation body is investigating the Kanpur crash?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the primary regulatory body investigating the crash. Its team was dispatched to the Kanpur site following the accident on 27 August.
Is this the first training aircraft crash in India recently?
No. The Kanpur crash is the third such incident in recent months. In June, a trainer went down in Kasganj, UP, injuring a woman pilot. In May, a Redbird Flight Training Academy aircraft made a hard landing near Gojubavi village in Baramati, Maharashtra.
