Search Continues for Missing Training Aircraft Over Jharkhand

A training aircraft went missing shortly after take-off from Sonari aerodrome in Jamshedpur. Authorities, including the Indian Navy, are conducting search operations. The aircraft, a private Cessna 152 with a pilot and trainee on board, is suspected to have crashed into Chandil dam. A search team found only a pair of shoes so far.

A training aircraft that went missing shortly after take-off from Sonari aerodrome in Jamshedpur on Tuesday remains unaccounted for, officials reported.

The Seraikela-Kharswan district administration has sought assistance from the Indian Navy in locating the two-seater plane, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Shankar Shukla informed PTI on Wednesday. The aircraft, operated by a private aviation company and carrying a pilot and trainee pilot, is believed to have crashed into the Chandil dam in the district.

According to official sources, the administration has requested help from the Eastern Naval Command, headquartered in Vishakhapatnam, with a search team expected to initiate operations on Thursday. Earlier in the day, a six-member NDRF team from Ranchi conducted a search operation at Chandil dam but found only a pair of shoes, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Chandil) Sunil Kumar Rajwar reported.

Villagers alleged an aircraft crashed into the water body on Tuesday, confirmed Superintendent of Police (Seraikela-Kharswan) Mukesh Kumar Lunayat. East Singhbhum district Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal added that the last known location of the aircraft, as per Air Traffic Control at Sonari aerodrome, was near Nimdih under the Chandil sub-division. A joint operation involving both districts' administrations and the Forest department has been launched in Nimdih and adjacent Purulia district of West Bengal. The Cessna 152, owned by flying school Alchemist Aviation, took off from Sonari aerodrome around 11 am on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)