Blue skies will miss its brave jewel: Indian Air force honours martyr pilot Sahil Gandhi by flying #MissingMan formation

Bengaluru, February 20: Today blue skies are missing one of its jewels, Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who was martyred on Tuesday after two aircraft crashed during a rehearsal for the aero show in Bengaluru.

 

In his honour, Missing Man formation was flown today led by Su-30MKI at Yelahanka followed by a slow speed pass by Rafale, as a salute to the Braveheart.

In a tweet, Indian Air Force wrote, “You will be missed, blue skies to you always”

 

Three pilots ejected from the Surya Kiran aerobatics Hawk aircraft before the planes crashed to the ground. Police sources said one pilot has died of injuries and another civilian is injured. Two pilots were said to be safe.

The collision took place near the Yelahanka Air Force base at 11.50 AM during the rehearsal for Aero India show starting tomorrow. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is in the city, had rushed to the accident site.

Today, Even the French air force Rafale jet that was displaying its maneuvers during the fly-past following the show’s inauguration, performed a formation in honour of the IAF pilot, Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi. “This is for you Sahil,” said the French pilot flying the Rafale over radio-chatter that was placed on loudspeaker.

The 12th edition of Air show "Aero India-2019" show will showcase India's air defence prowess and will be the largest aero show in Asia. Sixty-one aircraft would be on display and 403 exhibitors are participating in the aero India show this year