A helicopter crash in Kedarnath involved a malfunctioning chopper and an Indian Air Force Mi-17
An Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered an inquiry after its Mi-17 helicopter was forced to drop a malfunctioning chopper it was transporting in Uttrakhand’s Kedarnath on Thursday. The IAF Mi-17 was in the process of lifting the defective chopper to transport it back when both aircraft lost balance in the Himalayan state.
“An IAF Mi-17 V5, while airlifting damaged Kestrel civil helicopter in Uttarakhand today, had to jettison the load due to flight safety reasons,” the IAF said in a statement. “The crew safely released the load over an unpopulated area, ensuring no damage to life or property.”
An #IAF Mi-17 V5, while airlifting damaged Kestrel civil helicopter in Uttarakhand today, had to jettison the load due to flight safety reasons. The crew safely released the load over an unpopulated area, ensuring no damage to life or property. An enquiry has been ordered.…— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 31, 2024
Dramatic videos captured by onlookers show the malfunctioning chopper spiraling downward after being released, eventually crashing into the valley below. No one was injured in the incident. Onlookers captured videos of the crash, which have since gone viral on social media.
