Pune helicopter crash: Malayali pilot among those killed

PUNE: Three people, including a Malayali pilot, were killed after a helicopter crashed in Bavdhan in Pune on Wednesday morning. The deceased Malayali pilot has been identified as Kollam Kundara native Gireeshkumar Pillai. The accident took place at around 6.30 am today. Three people- two pilots and an engineer- were inside the helicopter at the time of the accident. Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choube confirmed the deaths. The helicopter was completely charred.

The accident occurred while flying from Oxford Golf Course Resort to Juhu in Mumbai. The other two deceased are Pritam Chand Bhardwaj and Paramjeet. The private helicopter, which belongs to Heritage Aviation, took off amidst foggy conditions. Preliminary information suggests that the fog might have obstructed the pilot's vision. Maharashtra Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sunil Tatkare was supposed to travel in this helicopter from his residence in Sutarwadi, Raigad.

Three Fire Force units rushed to the spot soon after receiving information. Deputy Police Commissioner Vishal Gaikwad said that officials have been informed and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will conduct an investigation into the crash.