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SOURCE: AFI

On the night of March 28, 2024, Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans embarked on what was supposed to be a routine long-range ferry mission aboard a MiG-29 aircraft, heading towards Exercise Gagan Shakti-24. The mission took an unexpected turn when, 20 minutes into the flight and at an altitude of 28,000 feet (8.5 km), the aircraft’s canopy suddenly detached. This left Hans exposed to the harsh conditions of high-altitude flight, including temperatures plummeting to minus 35° to 40° Celsius, the risk of decompression sickness, hypoxia, and the severe wind blast affecting his vision.

In this dire situation, Flight Lieutenant Hans demonstrated extraordinary composure. With the Head-Up Display (HUD) and visual references gone, he relied solely on head-down instruments to maintain control of the aircraft. He promptly declared an emergency using the standby radio, navigated away from civilian airspace, and began descending to a safer altitude of 3 kilometers, all while battling severe eye pain due to the wind blast.

His decision-making under pressure was critical. He communicated with control agencies with remarkable clarity, despite the lack of radio reception at lower altitudes due to the aircraft’s unique situation. Hans made the strategic choice to land at the nearest airbase, calculating the aircraft’s weight and fuel configuration for a safe landing.

The pilot’s actions were not just about saving his life; they were instrumental in averting a potential disaster. The recovery of the aircraft without collateral damage to civilian property or loss to the Indian Air Force (IAF) was a testament to his skill, presence of mind, and situational awareness.

For his act of exceptional courage, indomitable spirit, and exemplary gallantry far beyond the call of duty, Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans has been awarded the ‘Shaurya Chakra’. This prestigious award recognizes acts of bravery away from the battlefield, and Hans’s incident is a clear demonstration of the bravery and professionalism that the IAF holds in high regard.

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