An Indian Air Force's newly inducted Mi-17 V5 helicopter on a relief and rescue mission in flood hit Uttarakhand state crashed while op...
An Indian Air Force's newly inducted Mi-17 V5 helicopter on a relief and rescue mission in flood hit Uttarakhand state crashed while operating in adverse weather.
The helicopter was operating from Gauchar to Guptkashi and Kedarnath on return leg from Kedarnath. It crashed at North of Gaurikund.
A senior IAF officer in Gauchar said the Mi-17 chopper had made two sorties to the Kedarnath area since morning and was on its third when it crashed.
The 20 persons onboard including five crew members onboard were feared dead. The tragic accident underlines the risks pilots are taking to evacuate those stranded.
The reason for the crash has yet to be ascertained, while a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the accident. Despite crash of its newly inducted mainstay helicopter, IAF is continuing its rescue operations.
On Sunday, a private helicopter carrying relief materials for the rain-affected people in Rudraprayag district had crashed near Gaurikund leaving the pilot injured.
Meanwhile, President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the tragic crash. In his condolence message to Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne the President has said, “In this moment of grief, I offer my most profound condolences to the grieving families of the victims. I salute the courage and supreme sacrifice of the heroes who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
In 2008, India signed a deal with Russia to supply 80 Mi-17s to augment its existing fleet of around 150 Mi-8 and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers. IAF formally inducted Mi-17V5s on 17 Feb 2012.
