Breaking (11:30IST): Fears have come true with the SP of Chinndwara, reporting that villagers have sighted the wreckage and that the “body of the pilot being retrieved from tree top“. The wreckage was reportedly found at coordinates N22° 25′ E078° 36′. This position is 2.7NM to the north East of the Gondia-Panchmarhi track, and 103°/11NM to the Panchmarhi airstrip. The area has significant tree cover.
IGRUA’s director Air Marshal (retd) VK Verma confirms the receipt of this news. UPDATE: the director confirmed to The Flying Engineer that this news is true, at 12:27IST. The cadet is no more.
With the crash confirmed, questions now arise on why the ELT did not function, which could have aided the quick location of the wreckage, and possibly, saved a life.
This is a sad development on Christmas. May the cadet’s soul Rest in Peace.
Thanks to Aditya Anand from the Times, Mumbai.
The Flying Engineer 
