Pune Helicopter Disaster: Three Dead as Chopper Goes Down in Bavdhan Area

5 Dariya News

02-Oct-2024

A helicopter crash took place in the Bavdhan area of Pune on Wednesday morning, in which three people died tragically. It is being told that those who died include two pilots and an engineer. This helicopter of Delhi-based Heritage Aviation was an Augusta 109 VT-EVV. This helicopter took off from the Oxford Golf Club helipad for Juhu in Mumbai at around 7:00 am. Just five minutes after takeoff, the helicopter fell into the hilly area, due to which it caught fire, and emergency services had to immediately help.

Details of the Crash

Eyewitnesses said a loud noise was heard shortly before the helicopter crashed, with debris strewn across the area. The three victims, pilots Paramjit Singh and GK Pillai, and engineer Pritam Bharadwaj, were declared dead on the spot. "When we reached the spot, we found the helicopter had crashed and all its parts were scattered on the ground. There was a raging fire," said chief fire officer Devendra Prabhakar Potphode.

The helicopter was reportedly hired by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and was to pick up NCP leader Sunil Tatkare for a visit to Raigad. This made the tragedy even more significant as it carried prominent political figures.

Noon Sad Bites! 😭

A helicopter has crashed in Pune, Maharashtra.

A helicopter crashed due to bad weather and fog in Bavdhan, Pune, killing two people.

May God give peace to his soul and strength to the family to bear the loss.#Pune #HelicopterCrash #HelicopterCrash pic.twitter.com/E5tjJSjNW6
— Steve-Harrington (@ojasGambheera0) October 2, 2024

Possible Causes of the Crash

Initial investigations suggest that the accident occurred due to poor visibility caused by dense fog. A senior Pune police official said that the fog was very dense at the time of the helicopter's departure, which caused a lot of trouble in navigation and led to this unfortunate accident. As the investigation continues, officials will be able to find out the exact causes and factors behind the incident.

A Sad Reminder

This tragic incident is not the first in the region. Four passengers were injured in another helicopter crash near Paud village here in August, highlighting the problems with helicopter safety and operational standards in Maharashtra. Such incidents remind us of the risks inherent in aviation, especially in challenging weather conditions.

Community Reaction

Locals and aviation enthusiasts are in shock, as they are extremely disappointed to lose skilled professionals who work in crucial positions. Tributes have poured in for those who died in the incident. Many have expressed condolences to their families and loved ones. The NCP has particularly highlighted the need for a thorough investigation to stop future accidents.