| Sqn Ldr R Mahadevan has been working as a Senior Flight Commander of the Sqn since 15 Jul 91. He is fully operational on MiG Bis aircraft with 876:00 hrs on type and has an unblemished record of over 2100:00 hrs of total flying. On 11 Oct 91, he was authorized to fly a routine procedures sortie on Type-75 ac C-2116. The initial part of the flight was uneventful. After 12 minutes of flying, he heard a loud bang and the aircraft developed severe vibrations. This was soon followed by the Fire Warning coming ON. The aircraft generator and hydraulic systems failed. The engine parameters shot well beyond the permissible limits. Sqn Ldr Mahadevan was thus faced with multiple emergencies within a short span of time. The aircraft condition was fast deteriorating and the pilot was faced with the most difficult decision to eject. However, the pilot with singleÂÂminded devotion to duty decided to recover the crippled aircraft on residual thrust. He analysed the emergency promptly and recovered the aircraft safely. He thus displayed professional competence of a very high order in tackling complex emergencies. The pilot not only prevented the loss of a very expensive aircraft but also enriched the service with valuable information with regards to complex aircraft emergencies. For his acts of courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr R Mahadevan. | 
