A Cessna 172 training aircraft operated by Redbird Aviation crashed near Vijapur district in Karnataka on Sunday at around 3:30 PM while on a routine training flight from its Kalaburagi base.
Both occupants—Assistant Flight Instructor Capt Kunal Malhotra and trainee pilot Goutham Sankar—were injured in the incident and were immediately shifted to a hospital in Belagavi. Officials confirmed that both are stable and out of danger. Preliminary findings indicate a possible engine failure, though the exact cause is yet to be established.
Aircraft: Cessna 172, commonly used for basic pilot training and flight instruction
Registration: VT-EUC
Operator: Redbird Aviation, a leading pilot training organisation
Base of Operations: Kalaburagi, Karnataka
Flight Type: Routine training sortie with an instructor onboard
Crash Location: Open area near Vijapur district, Karnataka
Time: Approximately 3:30 PM on Sunday
Occupants: One trainee pilot and one Assistant Flight Instructor
Injuries: Both sustained injuries and were rushed to Belagavi hospital
Medical Status: Doctors confirmed both are stable and out of danger
Suspected Cause: Preliminary reports point to engine failure
Response: Local authorities and aviation officials reached the site promptly
Investigation: Detailed inquiry launched to determine the exact cause