Nav view search
Navigation
Search
Group Captain Rahul Shukla
| Service No & Branch | 25845 F(P) |  | |||||||
| Date of Birth: | Commissioned: 18 Dec 1999 | Course: 164 Course | |||||||
| Service End: | Nick Name : | ||||||||
| Qualifications Held : | |||||||||
| Remarks : | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Badges Qualified  | |||||||||
| Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "R Shukla" | |||||||||
| Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wg Cdr | Rahul Shukla | 25845 F(P) | Award Date 15 Aug 2014 | Announced 15 Aug 2014 |
| Details : | Wing Commander Rahul Shukla (25845) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a frontline BISON Squadron since 30 Jul 12. On 20 Jan 14, Wg Cdr Rahul Shukla was detailed to ferry a MIG21 T-69 aircraft from Kalaikunda to Ambala with a refuelling halt at Allahabad. After takeoff from Allahabad, while climbing passing 5 km, he heard a bang from the rear portion of the aircraft. He immediately checked his engine parameters and noticed a rise in Jet Pipe Temperature (JPT). As he reduced power to control the Jet Pipe Temperature, his Main Hydraulic Warning light came on with pressure gauge indicating a drop in hydraulic pressure. The failure of the main hydraulic system manifests into non-availability of certain critical systems which results in reduced controllability of the aircraft. The situation was further aggravated due to the marginal weather conditions of poor visibility and low cloud base. Despite being faced with a grave emergency, with uncertain and unclear indications of the exact cause, he retained his composure and took the correct actions of recovering the aircraft on RW30 at Allahabad. Since the cloudy conditions prohibited visual contact with the ground, he retained his ventral drop tank so as to preclude jettisoning it over a populated area. Taking cognisance of the marginal weather conditions, he asked the radar controller to position him on the final approach for landing. Due to the failure of the main hydraulic system, he was forced to lower the undercarriage by emergency means and subsequently execute an immediate overweight landing without flaps necessitating much higher landing speed than the normal stipulated speed. The reduced visibility due weather and high rate of descent of 10 m/s on the final approach path provided him a window of only 8-9 seconds to pick up the runway, align and execute a landing. The frontal visibility was further restricted by the high nose up attitude due to the non-availability of flaps. While on the final approach path, the JPT had stopped registering due to probable fire in rear fuselage. Maintaining his composure in ever increasing adverse circumstances, he carried out a flawless overweight flapless landing at Allahabad and successfully stopped the aircraft without any damage on the runway. During the landing roll, observers on ground noticed and confirmed smoke and fire in the fuselage section of the aircraft. After landing, he also assisted in effective fire-fighting operations. Post flight assessment revealed extensive damage to the aircraft due to fire. Wg Cdr Rahul Shukla displayed exemplary courage, presence of mind, and was able to maintain his composure in adverse circumstances which led to the safe recovery of an aircraft with an engine problem in adverse weather conditions. His skillful piloting and professional handling of an adverse situation prevented probable civilian casualties on ground and has set an excellent professional example for others to emulate. For this act of exemplary courage and professional handling of an unserviceable aircraft under difficult circumstances, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Wing Commander Rahul Shukla. | |||
| Unit : | ||||
| Reference : Air Force Day Booklet | ||||
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/25845
Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.