Bodies of Trainee Pilot and Instructor Recovered from Chandil Dam Amid Search for Missing Aircraft in Jharkhand

The tragic discovery of the bodies of a trainee pilot and his instructor has left Jharkhand’s aviation community in mourning after their Cessna 152 aircraft, which went missing on Tuesday, was located at the bottom of Chandil Dam. The aircraft had taken off from Jamshedpur’s Sonari Aerodrome and lost contact with air traffic control shortly afterward, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation. The bodies were recovered by search teams on Thursday, ending a tense waiting period for the families.

The ill-fated flight was operated by Alchemist Aviation, an organization responsible for training aspiring pilots. The aircraft, identified as VT-TAJ, was on a routine training sortie with trainee pilot Shubhrodeep Dutta and instructor Captain Jeet Satru Anand on board. After taking off at around 9:30 AM on Tuesday, the plane went off the radar at approximately 11:10 AM, leading to a frantic search operation.

A pair of shoes floating in the dam on Wednesday sparked fears that the aircraft may have crashed into the water, prompting officials to focus their search on the reservoir. The operation involved not only local police and rescue teams but also specialized forces such as the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Navy deployed advanced Sonic Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the wreckage underwater.

The bodies of Shubhrodeep Dutta, a resident of Adityapur, and Captain Anand, who hailed from Patna, were found in separate locations within the dam. The recovery was made possible through the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, despite the search being hampered by poor weather conditions. The inclement weather delayed the process significantly, but once conditions improved, divers were able to carry out their work more effectively.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in conjunction with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), has launched a formal inquiry into the incident. According to Alchemist Aviation, the aircraft was in airworthy condition, having completed only 16,000 out of its 30,000-hour lifespan. The Lycoming engine installed in the aircraft was directly purchased from the manufacturer in the United States, with no locally overhauled parts involved. The plane was carrying 80 liters of fuel, providing an endurance of up to 4 hours and 30 minutes, although the scheduled flying time was just one hour.

In a statement, the flight school expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two pilots, stating, "This is an irreparable loss for us, and our hearts go out to the families. We have always prioritized safety, and this tragic incident has been our greatest setback." The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the aircraft’s flight path, mechanical systems, and communication logs to determine the cause of the crash.

The incident has raised questions about safety protocols and the challenges of flying in regions prone to unpredictable weather. The focus will now shift to understanding what went wrong and whether preventive measures could have been taken. For the families of the victims and the aviation community at large, however, the priority remains mourning the loss of two dedicated individuals who shared a passion for flight.