Chhattisgarh: Probe begins in Raipur chopper crash
Raipur [India], May 12: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun investigations into the crash of a Chhattisgarh-government owned Augusta 109 helicopter at Raipur's Swami Vivekanand Airport on Thursday night which killed two pilots.
According to the state government, initial indications suggest technical malfunction as the cause of the crash.
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"Chhattisgarh state helicopter crashed at Raipur's Swami Vivekanand Airport tonight at around 9.10 pm. It was on a routine training sortie. Initial indications suggest technical malfunction as the cause of the crash. Captain Gopal Krishna Panda and Captain A P Shrivastava have unfortunately succumbed to injuries following the crash," it said.
A detailed technical investigation on behalf of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Chhattisgarh Government will be undertaken to ascertain the exact cause.
Civil Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also took to Twitter and condoled the demise of the deceased pilots. "I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and power to their families to bear the pain," he tweeted in Hindi.
He also assured a thorough investigation into the incident by the DGCA and Chhattisgarh government.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed deep anguish at the loss of lives. He has asked officials to provide immediate relief to the bereaved families.
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Baghel also tweeted, "Just got a sad news about the state helicopter crashing at the airport in Raipur. In this tragic accident, both our pilots Captain Panda and Captain Srivastava have died. May God give strength to his family members and peace to the departed soul in this time of grief."
-PTC News
