Brave Villagers Rescue Air Force Pilots After Microlight Crash in Prayagraj

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: In a dramatic incident that captured local attention, villagers in Prayagraj came to the rescue of two Indian Air Force pilots after their microlight aircraft crash-landed in a pond filled with water hyacinth due to a technical malfunction. Both pilots survived the accident thanks to their quick thinking and the courage of nearby villagers.

Crash Details
The two-seater Microlight-116 aircraft was returning from a routine training flight around the Sangam area when it developed a technical fault at approximately 12:15 PM near KP Inter College. The pilots executed a controlled crash landing into a water hyacinth-laden pond to avoid a potential disaster in a densely populated area.

Witnesses reported a loud noise resembling a rocket blast when the parachute deployed, drawing a crowd to the pond. Among the first responders were Lal Sahab Nishad, Pankaj Sonkar, and Alok Yadav, who bravely jumped into the pond despite the dense vegetation and soft mud that made reaching the aircraft extremely difficult. After ten minutes of effort, they managed to open the aircraft’s door and pull both pilots to safety. The rescued pilots were immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Heroic Local Efforts
Lal Sahab, a resident of Pakri Sewar Village, and others risked their own lives to save the airmen. His daughter Radha alerted him about the crash while he was resting at home. Pankaj and Alok, who live in Malakaraj, helped him navigate the treacherous pond to reach the aircraft. The pilots, visibly moved, embraced their rescuers upon emerging from the pond.

Air Force Response
Within minutes, an Air Force helicopter surveyed the crash site, followed by the arrival of the Air Force rescue team. The SDFRF team also assisted in removing the aircraft from the pond, completing the operation by 6 PM. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident. Wing Commander Devvrat Dhar, spokesperson for the Defence Ministry, confirmed that the aircraft had taken off for a routine inspection and a technical fault led to the emergency landing.

Historical Context
This is not the first such incident in Prayagraj. 33 years ago, in 1993, a microlight aircraft experienced a similar technical failure and crash-landed in a pond at Rajrupur, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. That earlier accident also highlighted the risks posed by technical failures in small aircraft and the importance of emergency preparedness.

Outcome
Thanks to the pilots’ quick decision-making and the heroic intervention of villagers, a potentially catastrophic accident was averted. The incident has since become a talk of the town, highlighting both the dangers faced by aircrew during training and the bravery of ordinary citizens.