Two pilots were killed after their Mirage 2000 trainer fighter aircraft crashed at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru on Friday morning.
According to the Whitefield police, the plane crashed during take off at 10.25 a.m. The plane burst into flames, which could be seen from miles around HAL airport in the heart of Bengaluru.
Police have said Squadron leader Sameer Abrol and Squadron leader Siddarth Negi died from burn injuries at the hospital where they were taken immediately after the crash.
Both pilots had ejected from the plane, but had sustained severe burns by then, said officials. Both captains were from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE).
IAF officials said the plane was on an acceptance sortie after an upgrade by HAL. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
