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Wednesday,
October 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Naval planes collide Nineteen persons on the ground were also injured when the two aircraft taking part in the air show as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Naval Air Squadron 315 known as ‘Winged Stallions’ collided, burst into flames and crashed on nearby residential areas, 2 km from the airbase. “All the 12 persons on board the two naval aircraft are dead”, Air Chief S. Krishnaswamy said in New Delhi. A Board of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident. “At about 9.45 a.m. the two Naval aircraft were carrying out flypast overhead Dabolim airfield from west to east when the Air Traffic Controller observed one aircraft diving down with wings level and the leader also banking and descending”, a Naval spokesman said adding that shortly afterwards the two aircraft collided and burst into flames.
The crew of the ill-fated aircraft who died were pilots Lt-Commanders R. Saini, K.S. Rathore, S.K. Dutta and S.K. Yadav, navigators Lt-Cdr A.C. Karadi, N.V. Nirmal and J.D. Dutta and corporals Vijay Kumar, Inder Prakash, George Mcaai, Anil Kumar and J.P. Singh. The squadron was the premier maritime force of the Indian Navy and before this crash had achieved nearly 30,000 hours of accident-free flying over the last 25 years. While the wreckage of the two Russian-made aircraft was spread over a wide area, some of the debris fell on a construction site killing some labourers, police sources said. Many of the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition, a contractor at the site said. It was a narrow escape for students and staff of the Marmugaon Education Society’s Arts and Science College located just half a km from the construction site. Dabolim airport has been closed for all traffic. PTI, UNI NEW DELHI (TNS): President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today condoled the death of naval personnel who lost their lives in a mid-air collision in Goa and wished the injured people a speedy recovery. “I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the brave naval personnel, who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I also extend my condolences to the families of the people killed on the ground,” the President said in his condolence message. |
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‘Winged Stallion’ has many firsts to credit New Delhi, October 1 The squadron today completed 25 years of service, which it was celebrating when the aircraft collided while flying in close formation. Even as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) today ordered a Court of Inquiry into the mid-air collision the Navy said the squadron, formed on October 1, 1977, at INS Hansa, Goa, was a premier maritime reconnaissance squadron and was equipped with the Illushin-38 (IL-38) aircraft of Soviet origin. The IL-38 was a potent anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel platform, providing long-range coverage to the surface/sub-surface units. The squadron was known for its professionalism and dedication displayed by its men. The squadron had achieved nearly 30,000 hours of accident-free flying over the past 25 years, a pointer to its impressive record and had participated in all major exercises and operations conducted by the Navy. During the Maldives crisis, the squadron was pressed into service to augment India’s efforts in restoring peace in the island after a coup attempt. The IL-38 was instrumental in locating the merchant vessel “Progress Light” that was being used by the rebels to escape after their the coup attempt. |
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Panaji, October 1
