IJT overshoots runway at Aero India, Pilot escapes unhurt

Bangalore, Feb 8 (UNI) An Intermediate Jet Trainer of public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited skidded off the runway during the flight display at the ongoing Asia's top air show Aero India-2007 at Yelahanka air base of the Indian Air Force here today, forcing the stalling of the flight display for about an hour.

Panic situation ruled for a brief period at the air base as the aircraft overshot the runway while taking off and one of its hind tyres burst.

Chief Test Pilot Squadron Leader (Rtd) Baldev Singh, piloting the aircraft, immediately shut off the engine and escaped without injuries, despite the right wing of the aircraft suffering damage, official sources said.

The sources said a problem in the landing gear of the AJT was likely to have caused the mishap.

Four fire fighters were rushed to the spot as a precautionary measure, but the aircraft did not catch fire.

The incident occurred minutes after Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata emerged out of an F-16 multi-role jet fighter of US-based company Lockheed Martin and a scintillating display by the indigenously produced fly-by-wire Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas'.

Repeated announcements over the public address system asked the public, who had come to the sprawling air base to witness the air show, to remain calm.

According to Aero India organisers, the runway was cleared off after some time and the flight display resumed.

This is the second mishap involving an HAL helicopter at the mega event.

It may be recalled that an ALH helicopter of the Sarang aerobatic team crashed on February two during rehearsal for the air show, killing a co-pilot and seriously injuring the pilot.

UNI