The Hindu : Front Page : Woman trainee pilot killed in air crash

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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Woman trainee pilot killed in air crash

Special Correspondent

Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

In ruins: The wreckage of the HPT-32 aircraft that crashed in the fields in Kanugunta village of Medak district on Monday.

HYDERABAD: A 21-year-old trainee pilot of the Indian Air Force Geetika was killed instantly when the HPT-32 aircraft she was flying crashed at 4.10 p.m. on Monday.

The plane crashed in Kanugunta village in Medak district, some 55 km away from here. An eyewitness, Nagaraju, who was working in his fields some distance away, said he heard a loud crash and ran towards the spot where he saw the mangled aircraft.

Geetika had completed 11 months of training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal and would have received her wings soon. The crash took place barely six km from the academy and in normal course, she would have touched down a few minutes later.

When this correspondent reached the spot in Kanugunta, the academy personnel, led by Squadron Leader Rajneesh had cordoned off the place. He declined to speak about the accident or about the age and condition of the trainer aircraft saying that the academy’s investigation wing was already on the job.

Security personnel said the two most recognisable parts were the tail and the engine. The charred body of Geetika was shifted to the military hospital.

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