Kanpur Training Incident: Trainee Pilot Seriously Injured by Aircraft Propeller
Kanpur Aviation News
A serious aviation safety incident took place at Kanpur’s Chakeri Airport in Uttar Pradesh, where a trainee pilot was critically injured after being hit by a spinning aircraft propeller during a night training session. The incident has raised concerns about safety procedures followed during flight training operations.
According to information shared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the accident occurred around 11:15 pm on Friday during a training flight operated by Garg Aviation. The aircraft involved was a twin-engine Tecnam P2006T, which is commonly used for pilot training. The flight was carrying both a flight instructor and a woman trainee pilot.
Reports state that the aircraft had just completed its landing when the trainee pilot deboarded. However, the engines of the aircraft were still running at the time. As she moved away from the aircraft, she was struck by the rotating propeller blade. The impact caused serious injuries, and she immediately required medical attention.
She was quickly taken to a nearby hospital in Kanpur, where she is currently undergoing treatment. The DGCA has not released detailed information about her medical condition but has confirmed that her injuries are serious.
Following the incident, the aviation regulator has taken strict action. The DGCA has removed the instructor involved from all flying and training duties until the investigation is completed. It has also ordered that the aircraft involved in the incident must not be used for any further flying operations until the inquiry is finished.
Officials have described the situation as a ground safety lapse during a training operation. Investigators are now trying to determine exactly how the sequence of events unfolded. A key focus of the investigation is why the trainee was allowed to exit the aircraft while the engines and propellers were still active, which is generally considered a highly dangerous situation in aviation operations.
In standard aviation practice, strict procedures are followed to ensure that aircraft engines are completely shut down before passengers or trainees are allowed to move near the propeller area. Propeller-driven aircraft pose significant risk even at low engine speeds, as the blades may still rotate with enough force to cause severe injury.
The DGCA has stated that it is examining possible violations of safety protocols and training guidelines. It will also assess whether proper supervision was maintained during the night training flight and whether standard operating procedures were ignored.
This incident has highlighted the importance of strict safety discipline in pilot training environments. Flying training organizations are expected to maintain high levels of caution, especially during night operations when visibility is reduced and risks are higher.
Authorities have assured that a detailed investigation will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings. The aircraft will remain grounded until further notice, and additional safety reviews may be carried out across similar training institutions if required.
The incident serves as a serious reminder of how even small lapses in aviation safety procedures can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
