Army aircraft crashes into pond in Prayagraj

A microlight training aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed into a pond in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday after developing a technical fault shortly after take-off. Both pilots on board the two-seater aircraft are safe, and no civilian casualties or property damage were reported.

The aircraft had taken off from Bamrauli Air Force Station when it encountered a malfunction during the initial phase of flight. According to the Defence Wing PRO, the pilots displayed presence of mind and force-landed the aircraft in an uninhabited area, preventing a major tragedy. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the incident.

The crash occurred around noon behind KP College, a densely populated part of the city located close to schools, residential areas and about three kilometres from the Magh Mela zone. The incident triggered panic among locals, who rushed to the site after witnessing the aircraft go down.

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared to wobble mid-air before descending rapidly. Moments before impact, both pilots reportedly ejected using parachutes and landed in the pond, where they were briefly stuck in a marshy area before being rescued by local residents.

Rescue operations are ongoing as the aircraft remains submerged in a pond covered with dense water hyacinth, making access difficult. Teams from the Army, Fire Brigade, SDRF and NDRF have been deployed, while authorities have cordoned off the area to ensure safety.