A harrowing trainee pilot accident at a flying school in Kanpur has left a young cadet critically wounded after she was struck by a spinning propeller. This grave incident, unfolding late Friday night, has prompted an immediate, thorough investigation by India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The unfortunate event transpired around 11:15 PM on Friday at Chakeri Airport. A twin-engine Tecnam P2006T aircraft, operated by Garg Aviation, was concluding a night instructional flight. The female cadet pilot, for reasons still under scrutiny, exited the aircraft while its engines remained operational. In a terrifying split-second, she was violently struck on her back by the rotating propeller, sustaining grievous injuries.
Immediate Aftermath of the Trainee Pilot Accident
Following the horrific impact, the injured trainee was rushed to a Kanpur hospital, where she currently remains admitted. While the DGCA has confirmed her hospitalization, specific details regarding her current medical condition have not been publicly disclosed.
In a swift and decisive response to the trainee pilot accident, the DGCA has taken stringent measures. The flight instructor involved has been immediately removed from all flying training duties, pending the full completion of the inquiry. Furthermore, the Tecnam P2006T aircraft, registration VT-NBV, implicated in the occurrence, has been grounded indefinitely. It will not be permitted for any further utilization until the investigation’s findings are conclusive.
The aviation regulator has officially categorized this as a ground collision between the trainee pilot and the aircraft. Investigators are meticulously piecing together the sequence of events, focusing particularly on the critical lapse that led to the trainee disembarking while the aircraft’s powerful engines and propellers were still actively running. This incident underscores the paramount importance of strict adherence to regulatory oversight and operational safety protocols within aviation training.