Search intensifies for missing Cessna 152 trainer aircraft in Jharkhand and West Bengal

As night fell, the search was broadened to include Chandil dam following reports from locals who claimed to have spotted aircraft debris in the reservoir.

A two-seater trainer aircraft, a Cessna 152 owned by Alchemist Aviation, went missing after departing from Sonari aerodrome in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, on Tuesday morning. The aircraft, which had a pilot and a trainee on board, took off around 11 a.m. and was last tracked near Nimdih in the Seraikela-Kharsawan district, East Singhbhum's Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal reported to PTI.

A massive search operation is underway involving the administrations of East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, local police, and the Forest Department. Search efforts have extended to the Purulia district of West Bengal, in addition to the immediate vicinity of Nimdih.

As night fell, the search was broadened to include Chandil dam following reports from locals who claimed to have spotted aircraft debris in the reservoir. Superintendent of Police of Seraikela-Kharsawan, Mukesh Kumar Lunayat, informed PTI that no concrete findings have emerged yet. Senior police officials are supervising the operation, with boats currently combing the waters of the dam.