*Kedarnath, May 24, 2024* — In a dramatic incident, a helicopter being transported by an Indian Air Force Mi-17 aircraft to the Gauchar airstrip for repair work crashed near Kedarnath on Saturday. The incident occurred after the Mi-17 experienced difficulties in maintaining balance due to the weight of the helicopter and prevailing wind conditions.
The helicopter, which was not carrying any passengers or cargo, was being flown to the Gauchar airstrip for repairs when a technical fault forced it to make an emergency landing. District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey provided details of the event, stating, "There was a plan to take the helicopter to Gauchar airstrip on Saturday, with the help of Mi-17 aircraft, for repair. As soon as it covered a little distance, the Mi-17 started losing balance due to the weight of the helicopter and wind, due to which the helicopter had to be dropped near Tharu camp."
Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the incident. The area where the helicopter was dropped, near Tharu camp, is remote, but a rescue team promptly arrived at the scene. The team is currently inspecting the site to assess the damage and determine the cause of the technical fault that led to the emergency landing.
This incident underscores the challenges of operating in the rugged and unpredictable terrain of the Kedarnath region, particularly during the transportation of heavy equipment. Further investigations are expected to shed light on the specific factors that contributed to the crash.
The airlift operation had been carefully planned, but the unexpected technical difficulties and adverse weather conditions forced the crew to take immediate action to ensure safety, leading to the unscheduled landing.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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