NEW DELHI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter crashed to the ground killing one of its pilots in a rehearsal for aerial display at the upcoming Aero India show Friday in south Indian state Karnataka, Indo-Asian News Service reported.

    Squadron Leader P. Sharma died when the Dhruv advanced light helicopter plummeted to the ground at the Yelahanka air force station, about 22 km from Karnataka's capital Bangalore at 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) spokesman said.

    He was the co-pilot on the chopper while the pilot, Wing Commander V. Jetley, was seriously injured.

    They were taking part in a rehearsal for aerial display for Aero India show, which is to open on Feb. 7 in Bangalore.

    It was not known whether the crash would affect the performance during the air show, the report said.