Indian Student Pilot Dies in Mid-Air Collision in Manitoba

Ottawa, Jul 10 (PTI) An Indian student pilot lost his life in a tragic mid-air collision in Manitoba province, Canada, as reported by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.

The Indian pilot, identified as Sreehari Sukesh, died when his single-engine aircraft collided mid-air with another plane piloted by a young Canadian, who also perished in the accident on Tuesday.

The Consulate General of India stated on Wednesday that it is “in contact with the bereaved family, the pilot training school, and local police to provide all necessary assistance.” The bodies of the two student pilots were recovered from the wreckage of their single-engine planes after the collision, which occurred near Steinbach, approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Winnipeg, according to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news report.

The students collided while approaching a landing strip during practice takeoffs and landings, as reported by CBC, quoting Adam Penner, president of Harv's Air, the flying school where both pilots had been training.

The Transportation Safety Board, the agency that investigates aviation incidents in Canada, announced it is collecting information and evaluating the circumstances of the fatal crash.

Sreehari Sukesh's age was not specified.

CBC reported that the Canadian victim was 20-year-old Savanna May Royes, who “had always dreamed of becoming a pilot, following in the footsteps of her father.”

A statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said that after being notified of the mid-air collision, personnel from the RCMP, fire department, and Emergency Medical Services responded and located the wreckage of two small, single-engine aircraft, south of Steinbach.

“The two pilots were pronounced deceased on scene. There were no passengers aboard,” the statement explained.

Nathaniel Plett, a resident near the flight school, informed CBC News that he and his wife heard a loud bang on Tuesday morning. “I said to my wife, 'That's a plane crash',” Plett recounted. “There was a pillar of black smoke rising, and shortly after, we heard another bang, followed by an even larger burst of black smoke.”

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