Photo courtesy: Ambassador Abhay K.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at Red Fort in Delhi and addressed the nation. In his address to the nation, he paid tributes to all freedom fighters and brave heroes who continue to sacrifice themselves day and night in the defense of the nation. “The country is indebted to all these great personalities, he said.
On 12 Oct 2020, he was flying a system check sortie in LCA, away from parent base, after major rectification of Flight Control System (FCS) and pressurisation system (life support environment control system). During the sortie, the cockpit pressurisation failed at high altitude. He correctly identified the failure and initiated a descent to lower altitude for landing. While descending, the Flight Control System failed and led to total loss of control of the aircraft. This was an unprecedented catastrophic failure that had never occurred. There was a rapid loss of altitude while in usual attitude, with the aircraft pitching up and down viciously going to the extremities of G limits. Despite being in extreme physical and mental stress in an extreme life-threatening situation, he maintained exemplary composure and regained control of the aircraft, thereby exhibiting exceptional flying skill. Soon thereafter, at about 10,000 feet, the aircraft again experienced total loss of control with vicious manoeuvring and uncontrollable pitching. Under such a scenario, the pilot was at liberty to abandon aircraft. Faced with a potential hazard to his own life, he displayed extraordinary courage and skill to safely land the fighter aircraft. This allowed an accurate analysis of the fault on the indigenously designed fighter and further institution of preventive measures against recurrence.
Also read: Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: India all set for the 75th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort
– global bihari bureau
