Uttar Pradesh: Trainee Aircraft Crashes at Aligarh Airport after veering off runway

New Delhi: A major mishap was narrowly averted at Aligarh Airport on Saturday. An aircraft belonging to a flying academy crashed after veering off the runway's center line. The incident occurred during the landing phase. A female trainee pilot was at the controls, attempting to land the aircraft. The pilot also had a narrow escape in the accident. Officials from the Airport Authority are currently investigating the matter. Two flying academies—Chetak and Pioneer—operate out of Aligarh Airport, located in Dhanipur. These academies provide training to aspiring pilots on how to fly aircraft. Students from across the country come here to undergo this training.

On Saturday, just like any other day, students from the Pioneer Academy were engaged in flying exercises. At approximately 9:30 AM, a female trainee pilot from Nagpur, Maharashtra, was attempting to land a Cessna-152 aircraft upon returning from a flight. During this maneuver, the aircraft veered approximately one meter off the runway's center line and subsequently crashed. The female trainee pilot escaped unhurt in the incident. Upon receiving news of the accident, officials from the Pioneer company immediately rushed to the crash site. Shortly thereafter, Satyavrat Saraswat, the Director of the Airport Authority, inspected the scene and spoke with the female trainee pilot.

What is a 'Solo Pilot'?

A "solo pilot" is a pilot who flies an aircraft alone, without the presence of any other pilot or passenger on board. This constitutes a crucial phase of flight training, designed to foster self-reliance in aircraft operation and equip the pilot with the skills to effectively handle stressful situations.

How Many Trainees Are Undergoing Training Using 12 Aircraft?

In addition to Pioneer, the Chetak Flying Club is also registered and operates at Dhanipur Airport. Currently, there are 100 trainees enrolled across both the Chetak and Pioneer flying clubs. Collectively, the two clubs maintain a fleet of 12 aircraft.

Have Accidents Occurred Previously?

This is not the first instance of a training aircraft crashing at Aligarh Airport. In the past, aircraft belonging to Pioneer Aviation Company have met with accidents at this facility. Notably, a Pioneer aircraft was also involved in a crash in May 2025.

What Are Official Statements?

Airport Authority Director Satyavrat Saraswat stated that information was received in the morning regarding an incident on the airport runway. Upon inspection at the site, it was observed that a trainee aircraft had deviated from the runway's centerline. However, both the aircraft and the pilot remain safe.

Airport-in-Charge Atul Gupta stated that the airport administration had been apprised of the incident. Both the aircraft and the trainee pilot have been reported safe. The administration is currently preparing an inquiry report regarding the matter. Meanwhile, Anil Kumar, an official from the Pioneer Flying Club, clarified that the aircraft remained on the runway itself. He noted that it is permissible for a trainee aircraft to deviate by two to three meters from the centerline. Everything is normal.