On the 8th February, 1973 Flight Lieutenant Balvinder Jit Singh Sandhu was Captain of a Packet aircraft on a flight from Port Blair to Dum Dum with fifteen passengers and freight on board. At a distance of 600 nautical miles from Dum Dum, over the sea, the pilot experienced a runway propeller on the starboard engine. Though the pilot immediately took all the corrective actions, as laid down, his attempts to feather the propeller were unsuccessful. Due to the tremendous drag caused by the unfeathered propeller, the aircraft was losing height rapidly. The aircraft was at that time 175 nautical miles from Rangoon, the nearest diversion. Flight Lieutenant Sandhu immediately took stock of the situation and attempted to lighten the aircraft by jettisoning Cargo and other equipment. Despite this the aircraft continued to lose height, and he realised that he could not reach Rangoon. He therefore decided as a last resort, to land the aircraft at Bassein, which has a short unprepared runway. He executed a safe landing without any damage whatsoever to the aircraft. By remaining very cool in this grave emergency, Flight Lieutenant Sandhu was able to take prompt and correct decisions in handling the situation, which otherwise could have assumed fatal proportions. By his example and leadership, he inspired confidence in the crow and passengers.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Balvinder Jit Singh Sandhu displayed courage, determination, and professional skill in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force,