Cessna trainee pilot in Gujarat lost contact with controller around 10 nautical miles from March 31 crash site: AAIB report
The plane had crashed in a field in Ucharpi village of Mehsana district.
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According to the report, the pilot was flying solo for a cross-country training exercise. The planned route was from Mehsana to Banswara, then Deesa, and back to Mehsana.
(Source: Express file)A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the March 31 Cessna trainer crash in Mehsana says the aircraft lost contact with the APP (S&P) Controller around 10 nautical miles from the destination.
The plane had crashed in a field in Ucharpi village of Mehsana district. The trainee pilot, though injured, survived. Local police had registered the incident.
According to the report, the pilot was flying solo for a cross-country training exercise. The planned route was from Mehsana to Banswara, then Deesa, and back to Mehsana.
The aircraft, a 1984 model, was owned and operated by Blue Ray Aviation Pvt Ltd.
“There were no abnormal reports from the aircraft until it was inbound to Mehsana after overflying Deesa,” the report stated. “Ten nautical miles from Mehsana, the aircraft was in contact with Mehsana ATC (Ground VHF, maintained by BRAPL). However, communication was intermittent. As per one Assistant Flight Instructor’s statement, the trainee pilot last reported at 4 NM inbound Mehsana at 2000 ft. After that, there was no further communication with ATC.”
The report added: “The aircraft crashed in a field in Ucharpi village, triggering the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). Villagers nearby saw the low-flying aircraft and rushed to the site. They rescued the unconscious pilot and took her to the hospital immediately.”
Citing a report from Ahmedabad ATC, the AAIB report noted: “At 12:58:52 UTC, VT-PBA contacted the APP (S&P) Controller. The trainee requested her position and vectors to Mehsana. She reported maintaining 3500 feet. The controller gave regular vectors and position updates. At 13:04:27 UTC, the aircraft lost contact, around 10 NM from Mehsana.”
The AAIB team visited the crash site. It collected engine parts, fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid samples. Investigators also interviewed the trainee pilot and the flight instructor.
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