IAF Pilot Killed As Microlight Aircraft Crashes In Punjab's Patiala: Official

An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was killed after a microlight aircraft which he was reportedly flying crashed in Punjab’s Patiala on Monday, said an official. A Pipistrel Virus SW 80 trainer aircraft crashed soon after taking off from the Patiala Aviation Club airport, killing Wing Commander GS Cheema, an official spokesperson said. Wing Commander Cheema was on deputation at an NCC unit in Patiala, he said.

In the crash of the two-seater aircraft, an NCC cadet too was injured, he said. The injured NCC cadet was identified as Vipin Kumar Yadav of Mohindra College, Patiala, the official said. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to ascertain the cause of the accident, the spokesperson said.