NEW DELHI:

 

Wing Commander Aditya Prakash Singh, a pilot with a MIG-21 Bisonsquadron, has been awarded Shaurya Chakra for safely landing his fighter plane on two occasions despite technical glitches. On one occasion, he held a torch light in his mouth to read the instruments to land the fighter. 

On April 30, 2013, he was flying a practice diversion sortie by night on a MiG-21 Bison aircraft to Halwara when the battery heavy discharge light came on along with the master blinker indicating a failure of the electrical system of the aircraft. All the cockpit lights slowly faded away, making it impossible for him to read the instruments which are required for safe operation of the aircraft. Singh lowered the undercarriage and flaps to take off position as that would not be possible once the electrical system failed completely. "At this stage, disregarding his personal safety, he took a decision to take off his mask and hold the torch in his mouth to illuminate the instruments," the air force said. 

In three months, Singh again exhibited impressive flying skills. On the night of July 29, 2013, as the captain of MiG-21 trainer, he was on the rear seat of the jet. The aircraft experienced total loss of engine power after a bird hit during the landing phase. 

"In spite of all these constraints, Wg Cdr AP Singh was able to successfully establish an engine off glide and land the aircraft safely without any damage in this manner, the officer because of his ability to maintain his composure in a grave emergency situation, courage, creative thinking and professionalism has been able to successfully recover two aircraft at night in limited visibility conditions without any damage and has set an excellent professional example for other to emulate," the air force said.