A trainee pilot was killed when a small aircraft belonging to a private aviation training institute crashed in a residential area in Gujarat&rsquo;s Amreli district on Tuesday. 
The deceased, identified as Aniket Mahajan, was on a solo training flight at the time of the accident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft suddenly nosedived and crashed into the ground, triggering a loud explosion upon impact. The blast caused panic and fear among residents living nearby, many of whom rushed out of their homes in alarm.
According to a news agency, the plane first fell on a tree before crashing into an open plot and catching fire. 
Thick smoke billowed from the wreckage as flames engulfed the crash site. Emergency teams from the fire brigade and local police quickly reached the scene and began rescue operations. Despite their efforts, Mahajan could not be saved.
Officials confirmed that no civilians on the ground were injured in the crash. The training aircraft belonged to a private pilot training academy, which operates several solo sorties as part of its curriculum. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with technical teams expected to examine possible mechanical failure, human error, or weather-related issues.
This incident has once again raised concerns over the safety protocols followed by private flying schools in Gujarat. It comes just months after another crash involving a trainee female pilot on the outskirts of a village in Mehsana. In that case, the pilot sustained only minor injuries and was rescued in time.
Authorities have cordoned off the crash site and initiated a formal probe.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also expected to launch an inquiry to determine the exact circumstances leading to the fatal crash.
Major cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mehsana, Rajkot, and Amreli host several flight training institutes that cater to both domestic and international students. 
According to civil aviation authorities, Gujarat has over a dozen approved Flying Training Organizations (FTOs), with more than 300 to 400 trainees enrolling each year. 
(with inputs from IANS)
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Despite efforts from emergency services, trainee pilot loses life

Pvt Training Aircraft Crashes in Amreli, 1 Killed

Despite efforts from emergency services, trainee pilot loses life

April 22, 2025 | 17:09 IST