Shocking video show two Hawks from IAF Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team colliding and crashing during AeroIndia airshow rehearsals

Shocking video shows two Hawks from IAF Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team colliding and crashing during AeroIndia airshow rehearsals

By Dario Leone
Feb 19 2019
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Three pilots were on the two Surya Kiran Hawk jets that collided and crashed at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru

The shocking video in this post was taken on Feb. 19, 2019 a day ahead of AeroIndia 2019 (a biennial air show held in Bengaluru), and shows two aircraft of the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team crashing at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru during rehearsals. One pilot has been killed in the accident that took place around 11.50 am.

Three pilots were on the two Surya Kiran Hawk jets that collided and crashed this morning. One pilot died in the crash while the other two managed to eject safely.

Surya Kiran (which means ‘sunrays’) is an aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) that is renowned for performing breathtaking mid-air stunts.

The team flies the BAe Hawk Mk 132. The first public display with the Hawk was during Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon on Oct. 8, 2015, but flew four aircraft only and performed just fly pasts in different formations. The team expected to rise to nine aircraft.

In November 2016, the team added two more aircraft to their formation flying.

In 2018 the Surya Kiran team finally raised to nine aircraft as planned.


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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