Tuesday, December 27 2005 14:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: A trainer aircraft of IAF crashed while on a routine sortie here today (Dec 27, 2005) but two pilots ejected to safety minutes before the plane hit the ground, senior Air Force and police officials said.

The Kiran Mark-I aircraft crashed and caught fire after the pilot and co-pilot, Wg. Cdr Raghul Bapat and Sq. Ldr Narayan Deepak, ejected just in time, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharath Chandra told sources. Air Force sources said the two Pilots of the Air Force Testing Pilot School here, received no injuries but were taken to Air Force Command Hospital for observation.

Three-fourths of the aircraft was burnt, Chandra said. IAF sources said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

IAF uses Kiran aircraft to train rookie pilots but sources said the two pilots on board today were experienced.