Jamshedpur: After an exhaustive search operation that lasted several days, a 15-member team from the Indian Navy has successfully traced the location of the sunken Cessna 152 aircraft in the expansive Chandil Dam. The team, which began its search on August 22, has already managed to retrieve a three-foot-long section of the aircraft from the depths of the water body and is now working on recovering the rest of the plane using hot air balloons.

The Cessna 152, a trainee aircraft belonging to Alchemist Aviation, tragically crashed into Chandil Dam on August 20, just 15 minutes after taking off from the Sonari Aerodrome. The crash resulted in the loss of two lives: 19-year-old trainee pilot Subhrojeet Dutta and 30-year-old pilot-cum-instructor Jeet Satru Anand. Both bodies were recovered on August 22 through a combined effort by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Navy, who promptly launched a search operation to locate the submerged aircraft.

The recovery operation has been particularly challenging due to the aircraft being stuck in a 20-foot-thick marshy stretch at a depth of 180 feet within the dam. Despite these difficulties, the Navy team successfully located the wreckage of the aircraft on the evening of August 25. They managed to retrieve a significant portion of the aircraft today, and are now preparing to deploy additional recovery techniques, including the use of hot air balloons to lift the remaining parts of the plane from the murky depths.

Throughout the operation, the local administration, police, and officials from Alchemist Aviation have been closely monitoring the progress near the dam. The recovery of the aircraft is crucial not only for understanding the cause of the crash but also for providing closure to the grieving families of the victims. Alchemist Aviation, which operates out of Sonari Aerodrome and offers flight training programs, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts.

The tragic accident has left the local community in shock, with many mourning the loss of two young lives. Subhrojeet Dutta, the trainee pilot, was remembered as a promising young aviator with dreams of a long career in aviation. Jeet Satru Anand, the instructor, was a seasoned pilot who was dedicated to his profession and committed to training the next generation of pilots.

Family members and friends of both victims have gathered near the dam to witness the recovery efforts, hoping for some semblance of closure as the Navy team works tirelessly to bring the wreckage to the surface.

As the Indian Navy continues its meticulous recovery operation, authorities are also beginning to focus on the next steps. An investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to follow the aircraft’s recovery, aiming to provide answers and ensure that such tragic incidents can be prevented in the future.