The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched an inquiry after an Mi-17 V5 helicopter was forced to release a malfunctioning civilian chopper it was transporting in the mountainous region of Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, on Thursday. The incident occurred when the IAF’s Mi-17 helicopter lost balance while attempting to airlift the damaged Kestrel helicopter, prompting the crew to jettison the load to ensure flight safety.
According to an official statement from the IAF, the crew made the decision to release the damaged chopper over an unpopulated area, minimizing the risk to life and property. “An IAF Mi-17 V5, while airlifting a damaged Kestrel civil helicopter in Uttarakhand today, had to jettison the load due to flight safety reasons,” the statement read. “The crew safely released the load over an unpopulated area, ensuring no damage to life or property.”
Dramatic footage captured by onlookers shows the damaged helicopter spiraling downward after being released, before crashing into the valley below. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, and the videos of the crash have since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention to the event.
The IAF has ordered an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident and to ensure that such occurrences are prevented in the future. This incident highlights the challenges of operating in the treacherous terrain of the Himalayas, where unpredictable weather conditions and high altitudes can pose significant risks to aerial operations.
Further details regarding the condition of the wreckage or the cause of the initial malfunction of the Kestrel helicopter have not yet been released. The IAF has assured that more information will be made available as the inquiry progresses.
