An Indian-origin student pilot was among two young trainees killed in a mid-air collision between two training aircraft in Canada on Tuesday, 10 July, the Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed on Wednesday.
The tragic accident occurred in the morning, about 400 metres from a runway belonging to Harv’s Air pilot training school near Steinbach South Airport in southern Manitoba.
The deceased have been identified as 21-year-old Sreehari Sukesh, a native of Kerala, and his classmate Savanna May Royes, a 20-year-old Canadian citizen.
“With profound sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr Sreehari Sukesh, a young Indian student pilot, who lost his life in a mid-air collision near Steinbach, Manitoba. We extend our deepest condolences to his family,” the Consulate General said in a post on X, adding that it remains in touch with the bereaved family, the training school and local authorities to extend all possible assistance.
According to local media reports, Sreehari already held a private pilot’s licence and was working towards obtaining his commercial pilot certification.
Harv’s Air president Adam Penner said the two student pilots were carrying out take-off and landing practice in separate small Cessna single-engine aircraft when the collision occurred.
Both aircraft had radios on board, but it appears neither pilot realised the other was approaching the runway at the same time.
Penner said both students attempted to land simultaneously, resulting in the deadly crash just a few hundred yards from the small airstrip.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) declared both pilots dead at the scene. There were no passengers on either aircraft.
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