MI-17 Helicopter Airlifting Helicopter Crashes in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath

Uttarakhand : In a dramatic and alarming incident captured on camera, a helicopter that had previously experienced a malfunction and was being transported by an MI-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath on Saturday morning. The incident, which unfolded near Tharu camp, was caught in a visual shared by PTI, showing the smaller helicopter dangling mid-air before plummeting to the ground. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or loss of life in the accident.

The helicopter, operated by a private company, had already been involved in an earlier incident that was also caught on camera. On May 24, the helicopter had to make an emergency landing near Kedarnath due to technical issues. During that incident, the helicopter, carrying six pilgrims and one crew member, faced a technical failure while attempting to land at the Kedarnath helipad. Thanks to the pilot’s quick thinking, the aircraft managed to land safely in an open field just a few meters away from the helipad, narrowly avoiding what could have been a much more serious situation.

In the recent incident on Saturday, the Indian Air Force’s MI-17 helicopter was airlifting the malfunctioning helicopter to the Gauchar landing strip for necessary repair work. However, as the MI-17 helicopter was transporting the smaller aircraft, a combination of factors, including air pressure changes and the weight of the helicopter being transported, caused the MI-17 to lose balance. Recognizing the imminent danger, the IAF pilot made the decision to release the helicopter at a location in the valley where there were no human settlements, minimizing the risk of injuries or fatalities.

District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey explained that the MI-17 pilot’s decision to air-drop the helicopter was a precautionary measure to prevent further complications that could have resulted in a catastrophic crash. “The rescue team was rushed to the site to take stock of the situation and ensure there were no hidden dangers or unreported casualties,” Chaubey added.

Following the crash, the local authorities urged people to refrain from spreading rumors about possible fatalities or injuries, emphasizing that the incident was handled with caution to ensure safety. The swift response by the IAF crew and the absence of injuries have been praised, highlighting the professionalism and training of the rescue and aviation teams involved.

The region of Kedarnath, which attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists, has seen its fair share of aviation-related incidents due to its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.