Prayagraj Villagers Heroically Save IAF Pilots After Pond Crash

In an extraordinary act of bravery, three villagers in Prayagraj saved two Indian Air Force pilots after their aircraft crash-landed in a pond due to a technical malfunction.

The event unfolded on Wednesday afternoon near KP Inter College when an IAF Microlite aircraft encountered a technical issue during a routine flight. The two-seater aircraft was en route back to Bamrauli after flying over the Sangam area, when the pilots noticed the malfunction around 12:15 pm.

Exhibiting quick thinking, the pilots diverted the aircraft away from crowded regions and executed an emergency landing in a pond filled with water hyacinth, deploying the aircraft's parachute system to lessen the impact. A loud noise, likened to a rocket crash by locals, alerted residents nearby.

Upon witnessing the descent, Lal Sahab Nishad, Pankaj Sonkar, and Alok Yadav rushed to the scene without delay. They saw the pilots signaling for help from within the partly submerged aircraft and courageously plunged into the pond despite thick hyacinth and challenging conditions.

The rescuers battled through the dense weeds to reach the aircraft. The door was obstructed by vegetation, complicating the rescue. After about 10 minutes of determined effort, they succeeded in opening the door and safely extracted the pilots, bringing them to the shore.

Overcome with emotion, the rescued pilots embraced their heroes as the crowd applauded the valiant act. The pilots were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and are reported to be safe and stable.

Shortly after the crash, an IAF helicopter arrived to assess the site, followed by an Air Force rescue team and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel. By evening, efforts were underway to retrieve the aircraft from the pond.

An IAF spokesperson stated that the aircraft had embarked on a routine inspection flight and was compelled to make an emergency landing due to a technical issue. A Court of Inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the malfunction.

This incident has been recognized as a poignant example of community spirit. Residents recalled a similar Microlite crash in 1993 in Prayagraj’s Rajrooppur area, where both pilots perished after the aircraft caught fire. This time, the swift actions of the pilots and the courage of civilians resulted in a much different outcome.

The actions of Lal Sahab, Pankaj, and Alok have been widely applauded, serving as a powerful reminder that ordinary citizens can become extraordinary heroes in critical moments.