Lieutenant Commander N. V. Nirmal was an officer of the Indian Navy serving with Indian Naval Air Squadron 315, the maritime reconnaissance squadron known as the “Winged Stallions”.
On 1 October 2002, INAS 315 was marking the completion of 25 years of service at its home base, INS Hansa, in Goa. The anniversary programme included a ceremonial flypast by two Ilyushin-38 maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The two aircraft were flying in formation near Dabolim when they collided in mid-air at approximately 9:54 a.m.
Lieutenant Commander N. V. Nirmal was among the six naval personnel aboard one of the aircraft.
The collision resulted in both aircraft crashing near Dabolim. All 12 naval personnel aboard the two aircraft made the supreme sacrifice.
The accident occurred during what was intended to be a ceremonial milestone for one of the Indian Navy's maritime reconnaissance squadrons. Instead, it became a tragedy in which the squadron lost members of its flying and support crew.
Lieutenant Commander N. V. Nirmal's name is preserved among the 12 Indian Navy personnel who made the supreme sacrifice on 1 October 2002.
The Honour Post pays tribute to his service and remembers his sacrifice in the line of naval aviation duty.
