In a tense morning for aviation authorities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Pawan Hans helicopter crashed into the sea shortly after take-off on Tuesday. The aircraft, carrying seven people, ditched into the waters near Mayabunder around 9:30 am. In a major relief, all passengers and crew members were rescued safely, with no injuries reported.
What happened
According to the Hindustan Times, a spokesperson for Pawan Hans mentioned that the helicopter had taken off from Port Blair with two crew members and five passengers on board. The aircraft reportedly experienced what the company described as a “short landing incident” near Mayabunder in Middle Andaman.
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Officials familiar with the matter said the helicopter ditched into the sea approximately 300 metre short of the runway while attempting to land at Mayabunder. The incident occurred around 9:30 am.
Despite the crash's alarming nature, swift response measures ensured that all seven occupants were rescued safely. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Rescue and immediate response
Rescue operations were launched immediately after the helicopter went down. Local authorities and emergency teams coordinated efforts to bring the passengers and crew to safety.
“The helicopter had taken off from Port Blair with two crew members and five passengers on board. All have been rescued and are safe. No injuries have been reported,” the Pawan Hans spokesperson said.
An inquiry into the circumstances leading to the ditching is expected, with aviation authorities likely to examine technical factors, weather conditions and operational details.
Incident follows deadly air ambulance crash
The helicopter incident comes just a day after a tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand’s Chatra district that claimed seven lives. The Beechcraft C90 aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was flying from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in a forested area on Monday evening.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft lost communication and radar contact after departing Ranchi at 19:11 IST and establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST. It crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district. The deceased included two captains and five others, including a doctor and medical personnel.
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While the Andaman helicopter incident ended without casualties, it underscores the unpredictable nature of aviation operations and the importance of rapid emergency response. With investigations expected in both cases, authorities will seek to determine the causes and strengthen safety measures to prevent future incidents.
