Bird Hit Caused Katra Chopper Crash

Bird Hit Caused Katra Chopper Crash

Woman Pilot, 6 Pilgrims killed

JAMMU:  A bird-hit soon after take-off downed the helicopter that killed six pilgrims from Vaishno Devi and a woman pilot in Jammu's Katra on Monday, 23^rd November 2015. The aircraft -- which was returning from Sanji Chhat to Katra -- crashed and caught fire.

Eyewitnesses said the pilot, Sumeeta Vijayan, crashed while trying to land in an open space.

But the former Air Force pilot failed, as the tail rotor of the helicopter got damaged and the aircraft got out of control. The single-engine chopper was built in 2010.

"A bird was found dead near crashed helicopter. It seems the helicopter collided with bird that led to crash. We'll be inquiring further," said Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh.

The helicopter belonged to the privately-run Himalayan Heli Services, which also runs choppers for the Chardham Yatra. The aircraft -- which was returning from Sanjichat to Katra -- crashed soon after take-off and had caught fire.

Initial inquiries indicated that the chopper could have crashed ostensibly due to the fog, sources said. Several flights had been unable to land at the Jammu airport this morning due to the foggy weather.

But the authorities are also looking into the possibility of mechanical failure in the aircraft.The helicopter belonged to the privately-run Himalayan Heli Services, which also runs choppers for the Chardham Yatra.

The bodies, which have been recovered, are being identified, sources said. The pilot, Sumita Vijayan, was the chief pilot of the company.

Thousands visit Vaishno Devi, one of the major pilgrim centres of India, every day. During the recent Navratras, more than one lakh people had paid obeisance at the cave shrine.  Many of them, especially the elderly people, use the chopper service, since the cave can be accessed only after a 10-km trek.