AAIB Issues Preliminary Findings on MP Trainer Aircraft Crash

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released a preliminary report on the December 2025 crash of a military trainer aircraft in Madhya Pradesh, detailing early findings from the ongoing investigation into the fatal accident.

The aircraft, a local military training platform, crashed during a routine training sortie in December 2025 near an airfield in Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the loss of the aircrew. The preliminary report synthesises data from flight recorders, radar tracking and initial witness statements to establish a timeline and identify potential causal factors.

According to the AAIB’s preliminary analysis, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control shortly after departure, with flight data indicating deviations from expected performance parameters. Investigators noted anomalies in engine power settings and control surface responses, which became areas of focus for further technical examination. The data also suggests environmental and aerodrome wind conditions may have influenced aircraft handling in the minutes preceding the accident.

The report emphasises that preliminary findings are not final determinations of cause but highlight observed trends that warrant deeper analysis. The AAIB has outlined follow-on investigative steps, including detailed component examinations, metallurgical testing, and interviews with maintenance personnel and air traffic services to corroborate data patterns seen in the early record.

India’s AAIB is mandated to investigate civil and military aviation accidents and serious incidents, with findings informing safety recommendations, regulatory revisions and training guidance across the aviation ecosystem. Preliminary reports are typically issued within weeks of an accident and serve to communicate early technical insights to stakeholders, while the final report — incorporating exhaustive testing and analysis — is expected later in 2026.

The preliminary report notes that the aircraft formally met all required maintenance and inspection standards prior to the flight. However, investigators have not ruled out potential mechanical, human or environmental factors and stress the need for thorough evaluation to determine probable cause.

Military aviation training units regularly conduct high-tempo sorties to prepare pilots for advanced operational roles. Accidents during training flight regimes, while rare, are subject to stringent investigation protocols given the implications for instructional curriculum, aircraft maintenance practices and human factors evaluation.

For regulators and defence aviation communities, the preliminary findings underscore the importance of robust data capture from flight recorders and radar systems, enabling early insights during investigations. The AAIB will circulate its detailed technical appendices to relevant authorities and operators as part of the collaborative inquiry process.

The final outcome of the investigation is expected to shape safety recommendations that could influence future trainer aircraft operations, procedural checks and academy training syllabi, reinforcing lessons learned across all phases of flight operations.