Miraculous Escape: Pilots Survive Farrukhabad Training Aircraft Crash After Engine Failure

In a heart-stopping incident that unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad district, two trainee pilots miraculously escaped with minor injuries after their training aircraft suffered an engine failure and crash-landed in a field. The dramatic event, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, saw Captain Rahul Singh and Captain Niranjan Singh from the National Centre for Civil Aviation Training (NCCAT) Lucknow make a narrow escape from what could have been a catastrophic accident.

The Diamond DA42 aircraft, registered VT-FDW, was on a routine training sortie when it developed a critical technical snag – an engine failure – mid-flight.

According to reports, the pilots exhibited remarkable presence of mind and skill under immense pressure. Faced with the rapidly deteriorating situation, they were forced to attempt an emergency landing in an open field near the village of Bholeypurwa, under the Shamsabad police station limits.

Eyewitnesses in the area recounted seeing the small aircraft rapidly lose altitude before it impacted the ground.

The pilots, displaying incredible composure, managed to eject or egress safely from the cockpit just moments before the plane came to a complete halt, sustaining significant damage upon impact. Both Captain Singh and Captain Niranjan Singh were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Thankfully, medical examinations confirmed they had sustained only minor bruises and sprains and were reported to be out of danger, a testament to their quick thinking and the effectiveness of their training.

The local administration and police swiftly responded to the scene, cordoning off the area and ensuring the safety of the public.

District Magistrate Farrukhabad, VK Singh, confirmed the incident, stating that both pilots were safe and undergoing treatment for their injuries. He also assured that a thorough investigation into the cause of the engine failure and the crash landing would be initiated.

Preliminary assessments suggest the accident was purely technical, with an unforeseen engine malfunction leading to the emergency.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed, and a detailed probe is expected to commence shortly to ascertain the exact sequence of events and prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in aviation training but also highlights the rigorous training and quick reflexes of pilots that can turn a near-tragedy into a story of survival.