Mi-17 IAF chopper crashes in Uttarakhand, no casualty
What's the story
Six people on board were injured when a Mi-17 chopper of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, while landing this morning. Everyone, including the two pilots, is safe. The helicopter was carrying construction material, an official said later. The reason behind the crash isn't known yet, and a probe has been ordered in the mishap.
Details
The chopper got entangled in an iron girder
The helicopter was carrying construction material, IAF personnel and laborers from Guptkashi to Kedarnath for ongoing work at Kedarpuri. But 20m before landing, the chopper, which was flying low, collided with a cable, got entangled and crashed. A fire broke out, but it was soon brought under control. Police and personnel of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering rushed to the spot for rescue.
Twitter Post
ANI releases photos of the site
#UPDATE Four people including the pilot suffered minor injuries after Indian Air Force's MI-17 helicopter caught fire following collision with an iron girder while landing at helipad near Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand. (The helicopter is not of the Army as mentioned earlier) pic.twitter.com/l59bFVV4eP
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2018
History
Several deadly Mi-17 crashes throughout the years
This is the second time an Mi-17 has crashed in the Kedernath valley since 2013. In June that year, a helicopter carrying 19 people had crashed near Gaurikund, killing everyone on board. It was involved in rescue operations during the devastating floods. Last October, seven military personnel were killed in a Mi-17 V5 chopper crash in Arunachal Pradesh during a training sortie.