In a recent incident in Uttarakhand, a chopper being airlifted by an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter crashed in Rudraprayag on Saturday morning. The chopper, operated by Crystal Aviation Company, was being transported to the Gauchar airstrip for repairs when the accident occurred.
The MI-17 helicopter had previously lifted the chopper, suspending it below for the journey. However, during flight, the MI-17 began to lose balance due to the combined weight of the chopper and adverse wind conditions. The situation worsened near the Mandakini River in Lincholi, leading the pilot to make the critical decision to release the chopper into a nearby valley. The crash was captured on camera.
The chopper had earlier made an emergency landing at the Kedarnath helipad on May 24, 2024, due to a technical fault. All passengers were safely evacuated at that time.
District tourism official Rahul Chaubey explained, “The plan was to transport the Crystal Aviation helicopter to the Gauchar airstrip for repairs. The MI-17 took off around 7 a.m. with the helicopter suspended beneath. As it approached Tharu Camp, the MI-17 started losing balance due to the weight and wind, prompting the pilot to release the helicopter.”
At the time of the crash, there were no passengers or cargo aboard the chopper. Rescue teams quickly arrived at the crash site and are currently assessing the situation. Investigations into the incident are ongoing to determine the exact cause.
