Indian Navy to Aid Search for Missing Training Aircraft

Specialized team to join efforts at Chandil Dam for plane that vanished with two pilots

A 15-member Indian Navy team will assist in locating a training aircraft that disappeared near Jamshedpur with two pilots aboard.

JAMSHEDPUR – The Indian Navy is set to join the search operation for a missing training aircraft and its two pilots in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, Jharkhand.

The Cessna 152 aircraft, carrying trainer Jeet Sataru and trainee pilot Shubhradeep, vanished from radar shortly after takeoff from Jamshedpur Airport on Tuesday morning.

Initial search efforts focused on the Dalma forest range before reports suggested a possible crash in Chandil Dam.

Inspector General of Police Akhilesh Jha stated, "With the help of the Fishery Department and the NDRF, search operations were launched in the Chandil Dam."

The district administration sought assistance from the Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, to engage the Indian Navy.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Manoj Ratan Chothe announced, "A specialized team of Indian Navy will be reaching Chandil Dam today evening and search operations will be launched by first light on Thursday morning."

The Navy team will be equipped with underwater surveillance systems, including hydro sonar systems and deep-water divers.

An additional NDRF team with expertise in deep water rescue and search operations is also being deployed.

Chandil Dam, located on the Subarnarekha River, has a catchment area of 1,963 sq kms and stands 56.80 meters high.

The missing aircraft took off around 11 am on Tuesday, carrying Jeet Sataru from Patna and Adityapur resident Shubhradeep.

Alchemist Aviation and local authorities initiated search efforts immediately after the plane’s disappearance.