Redbird Aviation Training Aircraft Crash-Lands In Karnataka’s Vijayapura; Captain And Trainee Pilot Injured

A private training aircraft belonging to Redbird Aviation crash-landed in Karnataka's Vijayapura district on Sunday after developing an engine malfunction mid-flight, leaving both onboard- a captain and a trainee pilot-seriously injured but alive.

The incident occurred in Mangaluru village of Babaleshwar taluk when the light aircraft, flying from Kalaburagi to Belagavi on a routine training sortie, encountered a technical problem in the air.

According to initial reports, the aircraft lost control after the engine developed a fault, forcing an emergency landing in an open rural area under the Babaleshwar Police Station limits.

Eyewitnesses described tense moments as the aircraft descended rapidly before hitting the ground in fields, narrowly avoiding a more catastrophic outcome.

Emergency Landing Leaves Two Injured

Both the captain and trainee pilot onboard sustained serious injuries when the aircraft crash-landed. Despite the impact, there were no fatalities, offering some relief amid the alarming incident.

Local residents rushed to the site immediately after the crash and assisted the injured pilots until emergency services arrived. A 108 ambulance soon reached the spot and shifted both injured individuals to a nearby hospital in Vijayapura for urgent medical treatment. Doctors later confirmed that they were stabilised and undergoing further care.

Authorities believe the pilots' quick response during the technical failure may have helped avoid a more devastating crash, as the aircraft landed in relatively open terrain rather than a populated area.

Police And Aviation Authorities Launch Probe

Police from Babaleshwar station quickly reached the crash site, secured the area and began a preliminary investigation. Wreckage from the aircraft was scattered across the fields as officials examined the scene for clues about the cause of the accident.

A police officer stated that the aircraft belonged to Redbird Aviation and had taken off from Kalaburagi for Belagavi when it developed an engine glitch mid-air. Both the captain and trainee pilot were injured and shifted to hospital for treatment, he confirmed, adding that a detailed investigation is underway.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also expected to examine the incident to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and assess whether safety and maintenance protocols were followed.

The crash has once again drawn attention to flight safety and maintenance standards for training aircraft, as authorities continue their probe into what led to the emergency landing in Vijayapura.