https://data1.ibtimes.co.in/en/full/708790/aero-india-2019-2-surya-kiran-aircraft-collide-mid-air-during-rehearsals-bengaluru.jpg
Aero India 2019: 2 Surya Kiran aircraft collide mid-air during rehearsals in BengaluruIBTimes IN

With just a day left for the Aero India 2019 air show in Bengaluru, two BAE Systems Hawk trainer jets belonging to Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of Indian Air Force crashed at Yelahanka Air Force Station during rehearsals on Tuesday.

Both the pilots had ejected safely, however, one of them succumbed to his injuries. One civilian has also been reported to be injured. According to the eyewitnesses, the incident happened around 12 pm near ISRO layout in Yelahanka New Town. The cause of the accident is yet to be identified.

The plane was reportedly flying at a speed of 400-500 kmph at the time of the crash, reported Deccan Herald.

The aerobatic team is flying Hawk 132 aircraft for upcoming Aero India. It is specially configured for the air show. It is a two-seater aircraft. One of the jets had two pilots and the other had one.

Aero India 2019 is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition organised by the Defence Ministry in Bengaluru. It is one of the biggest air shows in Asia that provides a platform for manufacturers and service providers from the aerospace and aviation industry to meet potential buyers.

The 12th edition of the airshow will be conducted from February 20-24. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the five-day event that is being held at the Yelahanka airforce station.

The Indian Air Force Surya Kiran aerobatics demonstration team fly their HJT-16 Kiran aircraft in formation during the opening day of India Aviation 2008 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad on October 15, 2008. More than 200 exhibitors from aviation-related industries will be present at India's first civil aviation exhibition and conference in the southern Indian city which runs from October 15-18, event officials said.NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images [Representational Image]

The aerobatics team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) is a part of the 52nd Squadron of the IAF that was formed in 1996. The team has since performed numerous aerobatic demonstrations usually with nine aircraft. 

A similar incident had happened during the 2015 Aero India when two jets belonging to Czech Republics aerobatic team, Flying Bulls collided with each other during the show.

The aircraft was landed safely and no one was hurt, this is the first incident after that.