Two planes crash mid-air in Canada, Indian pilot killed

A 23-year-old trainee pilot from Kerala was among two people killed in a mid-air collision involving two single-engine aircraft near Steinbach in Manitoba, Canada, officials confirmed.

Adam Penner, president of Harv's Air pilot training school, told CBS News that the two were practising takeoffs and landings in small Cessna planes. He said they appeared to have tried to land at the same time and collided a few hundred yards away from the small runway.

He said the planes are equipped with radios, but it appears the two pilots didn't see each other.

The deceased, Sreehari Sukesh, hailed from Kochi, and his body was recovered from the wreckage following Tuesday’s crash. The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed "deep sorrow" over the tragic loss in a social media statement.

With profound sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr. Sreehari Sukesh, a young Indian student pilot, who lost his life in a mid-air collision near Steinbach, Manitoba. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. The Consulate is in contact with the bereaved family, the…

— IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) July 9, 2025

"With profound sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr Sreehari Sukesh, a young Indian student pilot, who lost his life in a mid-air collision near Steinbach, Manitoba. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. The consulate is in contact with the bereaved family, the pilot training school and local police to provide all necessary assistance," the post read.

The consulate added that it is in contact with the bereaved family, the pilot training school, and local police to provide all necessary assistance.

(With TOI inputs)