Squadron leaders Samir Abrol and Siddhartha Negi have died in the crash yesterday in Bengaluru. Both were highly trained test pilots from Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) of India Air Force.
The crash has reignited the issue of HAL’s quality standards as the aircraft, was on an acceptance sortie on Friday, after an upgrade by HAL, failed to take off.
The Nation must demand accountability from HAL, Ministry of Defence,Parliament and the Politicians of India. The politicians of all variety must discuss this accountability in the Parliament forthwith instead of the foolish activities of theirs going around these days. Tshould not be taken for granted. ‘ CHALTA HAI ATTITUDE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED ANY MORE ‘. Otherwise if the Armed Forces themselves start asking for this Accountability and then go ahead to have it also then it will not be a good day for our democracy.
Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash has sought accountability from the political leadership and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited brass after the crash of a Mirage-2000 fighter jet yesterday in Bangalore killing two IAF pilots, providing fresh fuel to the fierce debate over the state-run aircraft maker’s work ethics. A naval aviator himself and a decorated officer, he tweeted that the military has for decades flown poor quality HAL machines and often paid with young lives.
“The Mirage was not flown by ordinary pilots; these were superbly trained ASTE test pilots. Mil (military) has for decades flown poor quality HAL machines and often paid with young lives but not reckoning for HAL management. Time to focus on the leadership and directors of this giant PSU,” tweeted Prakash on the Mirage crash.
He also said that “HAL bashing may be justified to a point, but (it’s) time to question elected reps (representatives) too. 35 defence ministers have overseen this giant DPSU since 1947. While pampering its union, none demanded quality, productivity & aeronautical innovation of HAL or hand-picked a dynamic CEO.”
BJP MP Rajiv Chandrasekhar has also tweeted that if families of the pilots want accountability from HAL, he would ensure legal support for them.”My sources say aircraft was on 2nd acceptance air test after upgrade. One oleo (wheel) came off during take-off (and) n it veered off runway. Plots ejected both parachutes caught fire in the debris of the aircraft. If families want accountability from HAL, will ensure legal help for them,” tweeted Chandrasekhar.
Navdeep Singh, a veteran, tweeted about a 2017 judgement of Delhi High Court in the case of fighter pilot wing commander Sanjeet Singh Kaila who became unfit to fly following a crash in 2005. The Centre and the HAL were asked to pay him a compensation of Rs 55 lakh. Of this, five lakh was to be paid by the Centre and the rest by HAL. The matter is pending in Supreme Court.
