Air India pilot dies during training session at Delhi's IGI airport

A 37-year-old Air India pilot succumbed to 'discomfort' during a training session at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, an official said on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Himmanil Kumar, who reportedly died during a training session at Air India's operations department in terminal 3 of the airport. It appears that the pilot suffered a cardiac arrest, said an official.

Colleagues rushed to aid Kumar when he exhibited signs of discomfort, suspecting a cardiac arrest. "Despite prompt efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the airport hospital," according to officials.

Kumar, a senior commander, was undergoing conversion training for the transition from operating narrow-body aircraft to wide-body planes.

"Commencing training on 3 October for the shift to piloting Boeing 777 aircraft from A320 aircraft, he had passed his medical examinations on 23 August and was deemed fit. There were no reported fatigue-related concerns regarding his flying duties, and following a period of leave, Kumar resumed training on the day of the incident," said the official.

"All previous medical assessments had indicated his well-being, with no underlying medical conditions detected in his history," the official added.

"We are saddened at the passing of our colleague, Capt. Himmanil Kumar, today. Capt. Kumar was a senior commander who visited our operations office at T3 Delhi Airport as part of a routine procedure," said an Air India spokesperson.

"He suddenly showed signs of discomfort at the office, and was immediately assisted by his colleagues. He was then rushed to the hospital in the airport premises, where, in spite of all the efforts made by the attending doctors, he passed away. Capt. Kumar was not on active flying duty, and was undergoing conversion training to operate wide-body aircraft. The Air India team stands together in grief with Capt Kumar's family," said the spokesperson.