Number Name Branch Died in Service? Picture?


Wing Commander Nuthalapati Koteswara Rao

Service No & Branch 15413 F(P)
Date of Birth: 21 Apr 1957 Commissioned: 07 Jul 1978 Course: 121 Course
Service End: Died in Service 04 Apr 1996 (39 Years age) Aircraft Accident Nick Name :
Qualifications Held :
Remarks :
Promotions Gazetted
Wg Cdr : 12 Jun 1995
Training and Other Courses Attended
52 NDA (Cadet) - 01 Jun 1977
Badges Qualified
 
Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "N K Rao"
Notes:1)Branch is at retirement and may not match with branch at Commission 2)Notional seniority is reflected in dates of substantive rank.

Awards and Decorations


Number of Awards: 1
 
Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty)
Wg CdrNuthalapati Koteswara Rao15413 F(P)Award Date Announced 26 Jan 1998
Details : Wing Commander NK Rao (15413) F(P) was on posted strength of MOFTU AF from 12 June 1995 till his demise on 4 April 1996. He functioned as the Flight Commander of 'B' Squadron. During this period, Wg Cdr NK Rao flew 235 sorties / 126.15 hrs. He was an above average pilot, who was willing to undertake any mission with whole hearted enthusiasm. His personal involvement in the flying training contributed directly to the timely completion of the flying task of the squadron. Wg Cdr NK Rao was fatally injured in an air accident on 4 April 1996. He experienced engine failure oin a low level mission on MiG-21FL aircraft. He attempted relight, which was unsucessful. Subsequently, the ejection seat also malfunctioned, fatally injuring the pilot. Wg Cdr Rao made all attempts to save the aircraft. Despite his correct and prompt actions, his life was lost. For his distinguished service, devotion to duty and professional competance, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wg Cdr Rao Posthumously.
Unit : MOFTU
Reference : Gazette of India dated 14th March 1998 - No.29-Pres/98 dated 26th January 1998

Accidents and Incidents: 1

DateAircraft TypeTail NoPilot/CrewUnitRemarks
04 Apr 1996MiG-21 FLWg Cdr Nuthalapati Koteswara Rao +
MOFTUTejpur during landin
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
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.