Maharashtra’s Pune witnessed another tragic helicopter crash early this morning when a helicopter burst into flames after crashing, resulting in the death of three individuals. The victims included two pilots and an engineer. The helicopter had taken off from the Oxford Golf Course helipad and was en route to Mumbai’s Juhu airport.
The helicopter belonged to a private aviation firm based in Delhi, as per initial reports. Local authorities, including Chichwad Commissioner of Police Vinay Kumar, stated that the incident occurred around 6:45 AM in a hilly area near Oxford Golf Course. Upon crashing, the helicopter caught fire, leading to the deaths of all three occupants. Police and fire service teams rushed to the site to manage the situation and douse the fire.
Recent Helicopter Crashes in Maharashtra
This tragic incident adds to a series of aviation accidents that have occurred in Maharashtra this year. Here’s a summary of notable incidents:
- January 15, 2024 – A helicopter belonging to a Mumbai-based company made a hard landing near the coastal area of Ratnagiri due to technical failure. Fortunately, all five passengers survived with minor injuries.
- March 22, 2024 – A private chartered helicopter crashed near Shirdi, killing one pilot and injuring three others. This crash happened due to sudden bad weather and reduced visibility.
- June 5, 2024 – A police department helicopter made an emergency landing in Nashik after experiencing engine failure during routine patrolling. The pilot’s skill prevented a fatal accident, and no major injuries were reported.
- August 9, 2024 – A medical evacuation helicopter crashed while transporting a critically ill patient from Nagpur to Mumbai. Unfortunately, both the pilot and patient lost their lives in the crash.
The series of incidents highlights the recurring technical and weather-related challenges faced by aviation companies in the region. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the Pune crash, focusing on whether mechanical failure or weather conditions contributed to the accident.
