IAF Pilatus trainer aircraft crashes near Tambaram in Tamil Nadu, pilot ejects safely

CHENNAI: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Pilatus PC-7 basic trainer aircraft crashed near Tambaram in Chennai on Friday while on a routine training sortie. The pilot managed to eject safely, IAF officials said A Court of Inquiry (COI) has been ordered to ascertain the cause.

A trainer aircraft of Indian airforce crashed near Tambaram, Chennai; Pilot ejected safely. Court of inquiry ordered. pic.twitter.com/ZhP2OZNKzy

— IndiaWarMonitor (@IndiaWarMonitor) November 14, 2025

The Indian Air Force uses Pilatus aircraft to train its young pilots during their initial training. The aircraft were acquired from Switzerland around 15 years ago and replaced the HPT-32 fleet.

An Indian Air Force PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed at about 1425 Hr near Tambaram, Chennai, today. The pilot ejected safely, and no damage to civil property has been reported. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted…

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 14, 2025

In December 2023, a Pilatus aircraft had crashed, killing the two IAF pilots, an instructor and a cadet in Telangana’s Medak district during a training exercise. (ANI)