A private training aircraft crashed in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district on Sunday after its engine reportedly failed mid-air. The aircraft’s captain and a trainee pilot on board sustained serious injuries and were rescued in critical condition before being admitted to a local hospital.
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Engine failure forces emergency landing attempt
The small aircraft involved in the accident belongs to a private aviation organisation, Red Bird Aviation. According to sources, the aircraft had taken off from Kalaburagi and was heading towards Belagavi. While flying over Mangalore village in Vijayapura district, it developed mechanical problems.
VIDEO | A private jet crashes in Karnataka’s Vijayapura. Further details awaited.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 8, 2026
(Full video available on https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/XkN0FoV152
The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing, but the aircraft reportedly lost control and crashed into an empty field.
Disastarous touch down
Photos and videos from the crash site that surfaced on social media show the aircraft overturned due to the impact. The front portion of the aircraft was severely damaged and twisted.
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Police said the injuries to the captain and trainee pilot are quite serious. Police from Bableshwar station reached the scene and began investigation. Investigators are examining exactly what caused the engine to fail shortly after takeoff.
