PIL against aerobatics at India Aviation

Revanth K, a law student at NALSAR University, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the AP High Court against the aerobatics being conducted at the ongoing India Aviation 2014 at Begumpet.

Revanth in his plea mentioned the horrific plane crash that occurred on March 3, 2010, where one of the Surya Kirans lost control and crashed onto a house in Bowenpally killing two pilots.

His plea stated, “Begumpet and its surrounding areas are densely populated and such kind of aerobatic display is going to put the residents of surrounding areas at huge risk. The plea is not against the aviation show but only against the aerobatic display.”

Revanth emphatically stated that he did not doubt or question the integrity and the experience of pilots but was concerned about the aerobatic display being held in a congested area where there is no room for loss of life in case of a mishap.

“For an adrenaline rush of 5-10 minutes it is injustice to put the life of residents of the surrounding areas at risk,” the PIL mentioned.

Revanth also submitted a letter at the Governor’s office with statistics and a request to consider to continue the air show without the aerobatics show as it could cause human loss in case of an accident.

At the Bowenpally accident, the two pilots who lost their lives, flying the Kiran Mk II aircraft, belonged to the Navy's elite Sagar Pawan team. Prior to the fatality, they had performed over 100 successful shows and had a flying experience of over 1,000 hours each.

The defence services use occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day to demonstrate aerobatics to enthuse youngsters to join the services.