Flight Lieutenant Vikas Shridhar Krandikar is undergoing Test Pilot's Course (Rotary Wing) at Istres in France. On the 28th November, 1980, he took off in a helicopter, Alouette III, for a training sortie. The purpose of the training sortie was measurement of forces of flying controls when serves are switched off. The Crew of the helicopter included one test engineer Mr. Mouilleron (French National) and an experimentor Mr. Meyer (French National).

For exercise, the Pilot stablised at 2500' AGL with serves off. Flight Lieutenant Krandikar asked the test engineer to reduce the fuel flow to verify the effect of rotor RPM on the flying controls. The test engineer Mr. Mouillern erroneously pulled back the fuel flow lever (both these levers are situated side by side). This action of the engineer resulted in unforeseen and complete loss of power.

Flight Lieutenant Krandikar reacted correctly in the emergency. He put on the serves and commenced an auto rotation descent. During the descent, the engineer attempted a relight the engine but it was not successful. Flight Lieutenant Krandikar asked the engineer to switch of all electrics and made a successful autorotation landing on a nearby field. The helicopter was not damaged and was flown back to base after some checks. The crew were not hurt.

Flight Lieutenant Krandikar, test Pilot under training in France reacted coolely to an emergency situation in the air and executed a very successful emergency landing of the helicopter. By this action, this pilot displayed exceptional qualities of airmanship. The successful emergency landing carried out by the pilot has enhanced the reputation of Indian Air Force in a foreign country like France.

Flight Lieutenant Vikas Shridhar Krandikar has thus displayed high professional competence, leadership and exceptional devotion to duty.