WARANGAL: A trainee pilot, Madhurima Mukherjee, belonging to Flytech Aviation Academy in Hyderabad, had a providential escape as the Warangal district police guided her Cessna aircraft to safety after it lost its way on Tuesday.

Ms. Mukherjee took off from Hyderabad at 11 a.m. and was scheduled to return from a western direction. Due to heavy winds, the aircraft drifted and began flying eastwards - towards Warangal.

Suddenly, the academy lost contact and there was panic all round. The staff manning the Air Traffic Control of the Airports Authority of India in Hyderabad managed to track down the movement of the aircraft. They contacted her and also alerted the police here.

Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra said the ATC sought the police help to ensure the safe landing of the aircraft. There was fuel that could last only for 30 minutes by then. The police immediately made all arrangements. As the trainee pilot grew nervous, she could not follow the instructions properly.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) jet also flew sorties to track the missing aircraft, said the SP.

However, five minutes before the fuel ran out, she spotted the airstrip at Mamnoor. The police who were ready with a signal pistol and a fire tender helped Ms. Mukherjee land safely.

The IAF plane flew back to Hyderabad after ensuring that the Cessna landed safely at the Mamnoor airstrip.

The district police supplied the fuel needed for the aircraft and informed the aviation academy about the safe landing. The aircraft will be taken to Hyderabad on Wednesday.

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