On February 8, 2026, a Cessna 172 aircraft, registration VT-EUC, owned by M/s Redbird Flight Training Academy, experienced a forced landing near Vijayapura, approximately 50-70 km from Belgavi Airport, due to suspected fuel starvation. The aircraft was operating a cross-country flight from Kalaburagi to Belagavi. Two individuals, a flight instructor (CPL holder, last medical examination on March 18, 2025, valid until March 19, 2026, with 734 flight hours and last IR/Proficiency check on July 25, 2025) and a trainee pilot, were on board and are safe; however, the aircraft sustained damage upon impact.
M/s Redbird Flight Training Academy is a DGCA-approved Flying Training Organization (FTO), Approval No. 01/2020, with initial approval issued on July 23, 2020, and last renewed on July 23, 2025, valid until July 22, 2030. The academy has a fleet of 48 aircraft.
The aircraft, manufactured in 1975, has a Certificate of Registration issued on May 23, 2023, a Certificate of Airworthiness issued on September 20, 2023, and an ARC issued on August 1, 2025, valid until August 3, 2026. The Time Since New (TSN) is 17512:40. The aircraft’s engine is a LYCOMING O320-E2D with 802:10 hours. The DGCA/AAIB will conduct further investigation.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Regulatory body responsible for civil aviation safety.
Redbird Flight Training Academy: Flying training organization (FTO) whose aircraft experienced a forced landing.
Belgavi: Location of the airport near which the incident occurred.
Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB): Bureau responsible for further investigation of the incident.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Forced Landing of M/s Redbird Flight Training
Academy PVT LTD training aircraft near Belgavi
Airport
Aircraft Type: Cessna 172, Registration: VT-EUC
Posted On: 08 FEB 2026 7:31PM by PIB Delhi
M/s Redbird Flight Training Academy, Cessna 172 aircraft, VT-EUC while operating a cross country
flight on sector “Kalaburagi to Belagavi” was involved in forced landing in an open field near Vijayapura
today due to suspected fuel starvation experienced by the aircraft. The site of forced landing is 50 to 70
km. from Belagavi Airport. There were 02 persons on board i.e., a Flight Instructor and a trainee pilot.
Both the occupants of the aircraft are safe. Due to impact aircraft is damaged.
1. Organisation Information:
M/s Redbird Flight Training Academy is a DGCA approved Flying Training Organization (FTO),
Approval No.01/2020,
Initial FTO approval was issued on 23/07/2020
The FTO was last renewed on 23/07/2025 and is valid till 22/07/2030
No of aircraft in the fleet: 48 aircraft.
2. Aircraft detail as on 08/02/2026:
Year of manufacture: 1975
C of R issued on : 23/05/2023 (With Red Bird FTO).
C of A- issued on : 20/09/2023
ARC issued on : 01/08/2025 valid up to 03/08/2026
Time Since New (TSN) : 17512:40
3. Engine Details
Engine Type: LYCOMING O320-E2D
Engine hrs: 802:10 HRS
4. Crew Information
PIC (Flight Instructor) : CPL holder
Last Medical done on : 18.03.2025 (Valid till 19.03.2026)Hours Flown : 734 hours
Last IR/Proficiency check : 25.07.2025
Further investigation will be carried out by DGCA/AAIB.
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Divyanshu Kumar
(Release ID: 2225185) Visitor Counter : 646
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