Vijayapura (Rajeev Sharma): A privately owned small aircraft crashed in a field in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district on Sunday, but both persons on board escaped with their lives after ejecting just before the impact, officials confirmed.
The accident took place near Mangaluru village in Babaleshwar taluk during the afternoon hours. The two-seat aircraft, believed to be on a routine training sortie, lost control and descended into open farmland, breaking into multiple parts upon hitting the ground.
Sources said the pilot and the second occupant managed to activate the ejection system in time, preventing a fatal outcome. They suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital in the district for medical care. Doctors said their condition is not critical.
Initial reports suggest the aircraft was travelling between Kalaburagi and Belagavi when the incident occurred. The exact cause of the crash is still unclear.
Police have cordoned off the site and informed aviation authorities, who are expected to conduct a technical inspection of the wreckage. A detailed inquiry will follow to establish whether mechanical failure or other factors led to the crash.
