HAL HPT-32 Deepak

The HAL HPT-32 Deepak ("lamp" in Sanskrit) is an Indian prop-driven primary trainer manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The student and the instructor sit side-by-side. The aircraft can accommodate one passenger.

Operational history
The Deepak is used for primary training, observation, liaison and target towing.

When it flies upside-down fuel flows from a collector tank in the fuselage and the inverted flight is limited to 1 min. Deepak has a theoretical glide ratio of 8.5:1. The IAF and HAL are looking into new safety systems such as Ballistic Recovery Systems to enable it to descend safely in the event of an engine failure. On May 16, 2010 the IAF cleared the installation of a parachute recovery system.

Accidents
An aircraft crashed in the outskirts of the city of Medak, Andhra Pradesh on July 31, 2009, killing both the pilots. The causes of the crash are being investigated.

In 17 Deepak crashes so far, 19 pilots have died. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has been reported as saying the aircraft is "technologically outdated and beset by flight safety hazards" when discussing the grounding of the fleet in 2009

Versions

 * HPT-32
 * Basic version.


 * HTT-34
 * Turboprop version.

Operators

 * Indian Air Force
 * Indian Navy 8 For Basic Trainner
 * Indian Navy 8 For Basic Trainner