In a dramatic incident captured on camera, a helicopter being airlifted by an Indian Air Force MI-17 chopper crashed in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath on Saturday morning. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or loss of life.
The helicopter, which had malfunctioned earlier, was being transported to the Gauchar landing strip for repairs when the accident occurred. According to reports, the chopper, operated by a private company, had previously been involved in another incident on May 24, where it made an emergency landing near Kedarnath.
The crash was caught on video, showing the helicopter dangling mid-air before coming down. District tourism officer Rahul Chaubey explained that the MI-17 helicopter began losing balance due to air pressure and the smaller helicopter’s weight. The MI-17 pilot made the quick decision to release the helicopter in a valley area with no human settlements to avoid any potential casualties.
“A rescue team was rushed to the site to assess the situation. We urge people not to spread unfounded rumors about fatalities or injuries in this accident,” Chaubey said.
In the earlier incident on May 24, seven people, including six pilgrims, narrowly escaped harm when the helicopter experienced a technical issue while attempting to land at the Kedarnath helipad. Thanks to the pilot’s swift action, the helicopter managed to make an emergency landing in an open field close to the helipad, averting a potential disaster.
This recent crash adds to the challenges faced by helicopter operations in the treacherous terrain of Uttarakhand, where unpredictable weather and high altitudes often create difficult flying conditions. Despite the crash, the quick thinking and precautionary measures taken by the MI-17 pilot ensured that the incident did not result in any harm to individuals on the ground or in the air.
Sources By Agencies
