The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary findings into the crash of a trainer aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy in Madhya Pradesh in December 2025, an incident in which both the instructor and a trainee pilot were injured.
According to the report, the TECNAM P-Mentor aircraft had taken off from Suktara Airfield and was on final approach when the pilots encountered a sudden loss of engine power.
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Loss of engine RPM during final approach
AAIB said that during the critical approach phase, the instructor asked the trainee pilot to increase engine power after sighting the runway. The trainee replied that power was already set at around 75 per cent. Soon after, both pilots noticed a drop in engine RPM.
“Following the loss of RPM, the instructor took control of the aircraft and informed air traffic control of a forced landing,” the bureau noted in its report. The aircraft was manoeuvred to the right of the approach path while remaining in landing configuration.
However, during the attempted forced landing, the aircraft struck a power cable and crash-landed in a nearby field.
RPM, or revolutions per minute, is a key indicator of engine speed and performance.
Injuries, damage and ongoing investigation
The AAIB report further stated that the instructor sustained a minor injury, while the trainee pilot suffered serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage in the crash.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the bureau has collected aircraft maintenance records from the operator for detailed scrutiny. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) has been secured and will be analysed to assess engine health and identify any technical issues.
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Fuel and oil samples from the aircraft have also been sent for analysis. In addition, investigators have conducted initial interviews with the pilots and relevant personnel associated with the operator, the report said.
The AAIB stressed that the findings are preliminary and that further examination of technical data and components is underway before conclusions on the cause of the accident are drawn.
