A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning in the Bavdhan area of Pune district, Maharashtra, where a helicopter crash resulted in the deaths of three individuals, comprising two pilots and an engineer. The accident transpired at approximately 6:45 am in a hilly region shortly after the helicopter departed from a helipad situated at a nearby golf course.
The helicopter was transporting three individuals: two pilots, Paramjit Singh and G K Pillai, along with one engineer, Pritam Bharadwaj. “Upon our arrival at the scene, we discovered that the helicopter had crashed, with debris strewn across the area. A small fire was still burning. We managed to recover three victims, who were subsequently handed over to the police. Further details are still being investigated,” stated Chief Fire Officer Devendra Prabhakar Potphode to ANI.
Preliminary reports indicate that the helicopter was owned by Heritage Aviation and was stationed in Pune, bearing the registration number VT EVV, as stated by the police. The aircraft was chartered by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and was en route to Mumbai. NCP leader Sunil Tatkare mentioned that he intended to travel to Raigad via the helicopter.
Images and footage of the incident depict the helicopter engulfed in flames, with substantial smoke billowing from it. Authorities have reported that four fire tankers from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) are currently on-site.
The precise cause of the crash remains undetermined; however, law enforcement officials have indicated that the presence of dense fog may have contributed to the incident.
In August, a private helicopter en route from Mumbai to Hyderabad crashed in Paud village, located in Pune. Fortunately, all four individuals on board survived the incident, although they sustained injuries, according to a police representative.
“A private helicopter encountered a crash in the vicinity of Paud village within Pune district. The aircraft is owned by a private aviation firm and was traveling from Mumbai to Hyderabad, with four passengers aboard. An evaluation of any injuries is currently underway,” stated Pankaj Deshmukh, superintendent of police (Pune Rural), in an interview with ANI.