Sri Vijaya Puram, February 24 A Pawan Hans helicopter carrying seven people, including the two crew members, crashed into the sea after taking off from Mayabunder in the North and Middle Andaman district on Tuesday morning, and all of them were rescued, officials said.
The accident occurred around 9.30 am, they said.
All five passengers and the two crew members, rescued from mid-sea, have been admitted to a hospital, one of the officials said.
"The helicopter took off from Sri Vijaya Puram around 8.45 am, and it crashed into the sea around 9.30 am. A preliminary investigation revealed that there was some technical issue, and the pilot made a forced landing in the sea," a senior Civil Aviation official said.
An investigation has been initiated, he said.
Civil Aviation Director Nitesh Rawat said, "A total of seven people were on board, including the pilot. All are safe, and we have yet to take the statement of the pilot. All injured persons are under treatment at Dr Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder. We are trying to bring the injured people to Sri Vijaya Puram."
"The helicopter took off from Port Blair at around 8.30 am for Ranghat. At 9.10 am, it took off for Mayabunder and was scheduled to land at 9.30 am. However, it ditched into the sea 300 meters short of the runway. There were five passengers and two crew members on board. All have been recovered and are safe," a Pawan Hans spokesperson told
