Bengaluru, February 20:  A fleet of Surya Kiran Aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was seen standing in a row as they will not be participating in Aero India 2019 due to the loss of two aircraft and one pilot on Tuesday in a mid-air collision during rehearsal. As a mark of respect, the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team was seen standing with their canopies covered on the runway behind the inaugural venue of Aero India 2019. 2 Surya Kiran Hawks Crash in Yelahanka Ahead of Aero India 2019, One Pilot Killed. 

On Tuesday, an IAF pilot was killed and two others ejected to safety when two aircraft of IAF's aerobatic team Surya Kiran crashed near the Yelahanka airbase. The incident took place a day before the opening of the Aero India show. A civilian was also injured in the mishap, police said.

Surya Kiran Fleet Seen behind the inaugural venue of Aero India 2019:

The 12th edition of Asia'spremier Air show 'Aero India 2019' began on Wednesday at Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru. Nearly 61 metal birds, including HAL's indigenous products Light Combat Aircraft Tejas all set to roar in the city skies. Apart from Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show, reports informed. IAF Aircraft Crashes: 40 Deaths From 30 Mishaps Reported in Four Years From 2015 Till Date.

As per details on the Aero India official website, a total of 61 aircraft would be on display and 403 exhibitors would be part of the show. The Aero India show,  a five-day long biennial event, will showcase India's air defence prowess. The air show will also act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2019 01:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).