Bengaluru, Feb 19 (Agencies): Two Hawk jet aircraft from the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aerobatic team collided mid-air in Bengaluru this morning, killing one pilot. The jets crashed while rehearsing for the upcoming Aero India, a biennial air show that is held in Bengaluru.
A total of three pilots were on the two Surya Kiran Hawk jets that collided and crashed this morning. One pilot died in the crash while the other two ejected safely.
The two Surya Kiran jets crashed while rehearsing at the Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru. The Surya Kiran is an aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force that is renowned for performing breathtaking mid-air stunts.
Images and videos from the crash showed a distressing sight. One video showed the two Surya Kiran jets aimlessly falling from the sky.
A photograph showed a parachute -- likely of one of the two pilots who ejected safely -- stuck in an overhead cable with a pilot's helmet lying nearby.
The crash also caused a fire with thick black billowing into the sky.
Angad Singh, an aviation enthusiast present at the crash site, said on Twitter that three pilots were involved in the crash.
Singh put out a series of photos from the crash. "One aircraft was flying with both seats occupied," he tweeted. "I see smoke and saw two chutes.
A video showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky.