By Team Mangalorean

Mangalore Jan 19: The mortal remains of Ronald Kevin Serrao who was killed in a tragic IAG Jaguar crash at Pokhran range on 18th January 2007 are expected to arrive in Mangalore on Saturday, 20th January 2007.

Speaking to media persons, Lt Col John Serrao's brother Mr. Gregory Serrao informed that, Ronald usually comes for Christmas every year but this year he came a little early during Christmas as he had to attend his colleagues wedding.

Very recently married to Deepika, also a flight Leiutenant, on 29th April 2006, Ronald's demise has been a shock to his family.  Close persons who knew him said that Ronald was very brilliant and was a gold medalist.  Loved by everyone because of his nature, Ronald's demise has left his family and friends devastated.  Born on 17th January 1981, Ronald had completed his 26th birthday just two days ago. Ronald had joined the NDA(National Defence Academy, Pune) and became a commissioned officer in 2000.  He is the son of John Serrao and Dr. Jessica Serrao.

Presently the father is working in INEX services Men's ICHS clinic. His mother Jessica Serrao also works as a doctor in the same clinic.

The flight training which usually takes place at Delhi was shifted to Jaiselmer, Rajastan because of bad weather.  Immediately after take off, there was a blast and the flight crashed.

Gregory Serrao also informed media that the body will be flown to Mangalore by special aircraft tomorrow  

Earlier reports:

A Mangalorean air force pilot hailing from Kulshekar was killed when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar combat jet crashed in Rajasthan on Thursday 18 Jan 2007.

Twenty-six years old Ronald Serrao son of John Serrao a former lieutenant colonel in Indian Army of Kulshekar is the unfortunate victim who died in the crash.

It is learnt that, the aircraft manned by Ronald, had taken off from the Nal air force base in north Rajasthan and crashed at 4.40 pm at the Pokhran range near Jaisalmer in west Rajasthan, over 600 km from state capital Jaipur, during target practice exercise.

"The aircraft was on a routine range training flight. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash," the spokesman said, adding a court of enquiry had been ordered into the accident. "So far, there are no reports of loss of civilian life," he said.

This is the first IAF crash this year. Seven jets had crashed last year. They included three MiG-29s, two MiG-21s, a MiG-27 and a Suryakiran of the IAF's aerobatic display team.

In addition, two Suryakirans were involved in a close shave during a display over Ahmedabad but both managed to land safely.

In June, the IAF had called a press conference to announce its lowest ever accident rate in four decades of 0.44 per cent for every 10,000 flying hours.

Gregory Serrao

Family can be contacted at 0824-2231923/ 9343561405.

By Our Correspondent
(additional inputs from IANS)