Chennai: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft met with an accident on Friday, November 14, 2025, crashing near the Tambram area in Chennai. Initial reports from eyewitnesses indicate the aircraft exploded mid-air with a loud noise before going down. In a successful emergency procedure, both pilots on board managed to eject safely from the aircraft and escaped unharmed using their parachutes.
Incident Details: Crash Near Thiruporur Following Mid-Air Explosion
The crash occurred near Thiruporur in the Chengalpattu district during what was described as a routine training mission. Eyewitness accounts from the area reported hearing a loud explosion in the sky before seeing the aircraft crash. The IAF has confirmed the safe ejection of its personnel, which is the primary objective in any such emergency. The specific model involved was identified as the Pilatus PC-7, a single-engine turboprop trainer widely used for basic flight training.
Separate Incident: Private Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing on Pudukkottai Highway
In an unrelated aviation incident the same morning, a small private aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on the Pudukkottai-Trichy highway at Keeranur near Pudukkottai. Officials reported that the aircraft experienced a technical fault, prompting the pilot to perform an emergency landing on the road. Fortunately, a major accident was averted as the highway was clear of vehicles at that moment. The front section of the aircraft sustained damage upon landing. Two individuals on board, including a trainee pilot, sustained injuries and were promptly rescued and transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Following the IAF crash, the Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry (COI) to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. The investigation will thoroughly examine all potential factors, including the possibility of a technical malfunction as suggested by initial eyewitness reports. The crash site has been secured, and IAF officials, along with local police, are conducting examination of the wreckage to gather evidence for the inquiry.