The young pilot assessed the situation in seconds, jettisoned two additional fuel drop tanks and CBLS Pods as per Standard Operating Procedure and safely landed the aircraft.

New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot yesterday narrowly escaped an accident, showing his professionalism and quick thinking, after the Jaguar aircraft encountered a flock of birds immediately after the take-off.

On Thursday morning, the Jaguar aircraft, loaded with two additional fuel drop tanks and Carrier Bomb Light Stores (CBLS) pods, took off from AFS Ambala for a training mission.

Immediately after the take-off, the aircraft encountered a flock of birds and the bird hit resulted in the failure of one of its engines.