Fighting Aircraft crashes into Cell Phone Tower:Pilot and Civilians Killed

An Indian Air Force Air Craft participating in an aerobatic display to mark the inauguration of the India Aviation 2010 in the Begumpet airport in Hydrabad crashed into a building in the Bowenpally locality on Wednesday morning.

One of the pilots of the aircraft died and four other civilians, living in the building have been hospitalized. They are in a critical condition. Firemen struggled to control the flames that erupted in the two-storied building on which the aircraft crashed.

Eye-witnesses said the Surya Kiran, part of a fleet of four aircraft, spiraled out of control as thousands of horrified spectators watched. The plane crashed into a building near Arya Samaj in New Bowenpally, in the northern part of the city. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing out of the building.

The plane crashed into a cell phone tower atop the two-storied building bringing down the tower and the water tank. A Maruti van parked adjacent to the building was totally crushed by falling debris. A house adjacent to this building was also damaged.

Eye witnesses said the aircraft rammed into the cell phone tower and erupted in flames. They recalled seeing one of the pilots bailing out. Police and Defense authorities have taken over the crash site.

Zeenat, a middle aged home-maker who resides in a portion on the second floor of the building was out along with her son when the aircraft crashed into the building. Unsure whether her husband had left for work, she repeatedly attempted to call him. There has been no response and she fears he might have stayed home when the plane crashed.

The building has nearly ten portions, let out by the owner Loth Mallaiah, who lives on the ground floor.

The aerobatic show was to mark the inauguration of India Aviation 2010, the second edition of the international civil aviation exhibition and conference at Begumpet. More than 190 companies including Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Beechcraft, Air Bus and Bell are participating in the five-day event.

- Asian Tribune -