A Redbird Flight Training Academy's Cessna 172 trainer aircraft, aged over 50 years, was forced to make an emergency landing in a field near Vijayapura, Karnataka, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The incident occurred approximately 50 to 70 kilometers from Belagavi airport, while the aircraft was en route from Kalaburagi to Belagavi.

The civil aviation ministry has confirmed that the crash landing was due to insufficient fuel. According to local police, the incident happened between 2:30 pm and 2:40 pm. Initial investigations suggest the aircraft began to sway mid-air near Kalaburagi before crashing in a farmer's field.

The two occupants of the aircraft, pilot Captain Kunal Malotra and trainee pilot Gowtham Sankar, sustained minor injuries and were promptly rescued by local farmers and sugarcane workers who witnessed the incident. Both were immediately taken to BLDE Hospital in Vijayapura and are reported to be in stable condition.

Authorities have cordoned off the crash site, and a fire engine is present as a precautionary measure. While the police suspect that engine failure or fuel issues led to the incident, the exact cause is still under investigation. No FIR has been registered, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the appropriate authority to conduct a probe. Officials from the DGCA are expected to arrive from Hyderabad to further investigate the matter.

Redbird Aviation is a prominent flight training academy in India with training bases in Baramati, Belagavi and Seoni. The academy utilizes world-class aircraft, such as the Cessna 172 Tango Charlie, for pilot training. The Cessna 172SP is known for featuring a basic autopilot system that can maintain altitude and fly in a specific direction.