In a dramatic scene that unfolded in the skies over central Prayagraj today, an Indian Air Force (IAF) microlight trainee aircraft crashed into a pond following a mid-air technical failure. Despite the frightening nature of the plunge, the incident ended on a note of relief as both pilots on board were successfully rescued from the water body.
The crash occurred behind KP College, a bustling area roughly 10 kilometers away from the Bamrauli Air Force Station, which serves as the headquarters of the IAF's Central Air Command.
Seconds from Disaster: The Sequence of Events
Eyewitnesses in the densely populated neighborhood described a chilling sight as the small, two-seater propeller plane began to circle unusually low over residential buildings. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft took off from Bamrauli Airport for a routine training sortie on Wednesday morning.
#WATCH | A trainee aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashes into a pond in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2026
Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/jq5KyFW8Gc
While mid-flight, the pilots reportedly encountered a sudden engine failure. Visuals captured by locals showed the aircraft struggling to maintain altitude for several minutes before it lost control and nosedived into a large pond located near the college premises. Thick plumes of black smoke were briefly seen rising from the impact site, sparking immediate alarm among the residents.
Heroic Local and Emergency Response
The response from the people of Prayagraj was instantaneous. Even before official rescue teams could arrive, local residents rushed toward the pond to assist. Shortly after, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the fire brigade, and IAF personnel arrived at the scene to secure the area and extricate the crew.
In what is being hailed as a miraculous escape, both pilots were pulled from the wreckage and the water. While they were shaken and have been taken to a military hospital for observation, early statements from the Army and IAF confirm that they are safe and out of danger.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The crash site was cordoned off by authorities as a crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the submerged fuselage. The Indian Air Force has initiated a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the exact cause of the crash, with a primary focus on the suspected technical malfunction.
This incident adds to a string of recent aviation emergencies in India, coming just months after a high-profile fighter jet crash at the Dubai Airshow in late 2025. Military experts suggest that while microlight aircraft are generally robust, engine failures during training sorties underline the constant risks faced by trainee pilots and their instructors.
As of Wednesday afternoon, recovery operations are ongoing to pull the remains of the microlight from the pond to prevent any environmental leakage and to aid in the technical investigation.
