24-08-2024
PUNE, Aug. 24 — A routine flight from Mumbai to Hyderabad turned into a terrifying ordeal on Saturday when a private helicopter crash-landed in the rain-soaked hills near Paud village, leaving four people—including the pilot—injured.
The Leonardo AW139 helicopter, operated by Mumbai-based Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd., was flying through rough monsoon weather when it reportedly encountered a technical malfunction and severe turbulence. The region around Paud has been hammered by heavy rainfall and strong winds for several days, creating extremely challenging flying conditions.
According to police, the injured have been identified as Captain Sanjay Anand, Amardeep Singh, S.P. Ram, and Dir Bhatia. The aircraft was carrying a pilot, co-pilot, and two company engineers when it went down.
Aviation expert and Pune-based pilot Vijay Sethi explained that the Mumbai–Hyderabad route cuts over treacherous terrain, especially dangerous during the monsoon season.
“Paud is known for unpredictable gusts and low visibility during heavy rains,” Sethi said. “It appears the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a relatively safer open patch, but technical issues combined with the weather likely forced the crash.”
The helicopter reportedly clipped a tree before hitting the ground, according to Paud Police Station Inspector Manoj Yadav. “We received information around 2 p.m. and immediately dispatched a rescue team. Weather conditions made access to the site difficult, but all four occupants were safely evacuated,” he told reporters.
Two of the injured were admitted to Symbiosis Hospital in Loni for further treatment, while the other two were treated at a nearby facility and discharged.
The AW139, a twin-engine helicopter with a 15-seat capacity and call sign VT-GVI, is widely used for corporate and emergency operations. Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the crash, though early indications point to a combination of mechanical trouble and hazardous monsoon weather.
