CITATION NAO SENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY) LATE CDR NISHANT SINGH
Late Cdr Nishant Singh was one of the most experienced pilots of the MiG-29K fleet of the IN. He was a Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 1500 hrs of total flying experience. On 26 Nov 2020, the officer faced an unprecedented grave emergency whilst airborne in MiG 677 wherein, his brave and selfless decisions in a span of a few seconds alone ensured the safety of life of his trainee co-pilot. At about 1627 hrs, on 26 Nov 2020, immediately after getting airborne with a trainee pilot from INS Vikramaditya off Goa post international exercise ‘Malabar 20’ with US Navy, MiG 677 encountered an abrupt, rapid, undemanded and uncontrolled nose down movement. Post retracting under carriage, the attitude aggravated to further nose down. Despite the officer’s resilient attempt to counter the same with stick back movement, the aircraft continued to pitch down rapidly with a rate of descent of almost 15000 feet/minute at extremely low altitudes close to water. Both pilots were experiencing negative gravity conditions due to rapid pitch down of aircraft. With less than a second prior impact with water, and conditions highly unfavorable for any further recovery attempt the officer took the extreme step of selfless sacrifice to save his trainee pilot being fully aware of his impending death. He displayed extraordinary courage and leadership by initiating command ejection at 502 feet AMSL and saving the trainee while losing his life instantaneously as the aircraft crashed into water prior his ejection. A Board of Inquiry convened by IN has validated his actions and has confirmed that there was nothing more that could have been done by the pilot considering the low altitude and sudden and vicious pitch down movement of the aircraft immediately after takeoff. For his selfless actions in dire circumstances, Late Cdr Nishant Singh (06262-F) is awarded Nao Sena Meal (Gallantry) (Posthumous).
