Hyderabad: A naval aerobatic plane, flying in a formation during an airshow, on Wednesday crashed into a three- storeyed residential building here, killing two pilots and injuring seven persons on the ground. The Kiran MK-II plane, which was part of the 'Sagar Pawan' aerobatic team participating in a display at the India Aviation show, crashed around noon, causing a loud bang in the New Bowenpally area, about four kms from the Old Begumpet Airport.
Navy chief Nirmal Verma, who was in Bhopal, said the pilots had not ejected. "So the possibility is either time wise there was a problem or they (the pilots) were making all efforts to ensure that damage is minimised to any civil area. They are no more," he said.
"The inputs that I have got is that about seven people are injured," he said, adding, "I have to wait for more information. It is premature for me to say what could have caused the crash at this stage." An inquiry has been ordered, he added.
The pilots were Commander SK Maurya and Lt Commander Rahul Nair, a navy spokesman said in New Delhi. Nair belongs to Delhi.
The charred bodies of both the pilot and co-pilot were removed by defence personnel. "Four people on the ground were injured. They have been shifted to hospital," Hyderabad Police Commissioner AK Khan told reporters at the crash scene.
Khan said the plane crashed into the residential building which had a cellphone tower on top. A car parked outside the building was smashed as one of the plane's wings fell on it. The whole area has been cordoned off and fire brigade personnel used Aviation Film Forming Foam (AFFF) to cover the oil spillage on the building.
AP Chief Minister K Rosaiah conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of the pilot and co-pilot who were killed in the crash, according to an official release from the Chief Minister's office here.
The Chief Minister asked the air show organisers and others to take utmost care and prevent such accidents during the show which are being witnessed by a large number of people.
United States Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer also condoled the death of the pilots. "What began as such a promising day has sadly ended so tragically. As the full extent of tragedy is still becoming known, all our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives or were injured and with their families," he said. Roemer is in Hyderabad leading the American delegation to the air show.
PTI
