In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, two pilots and an aircraft maintenance engineer lost their lives in a helicopter accident near Pune today early morning. The ill-fated helicopter, an Agusta 109 registered as VT-EVV and operated by Heritage Aviation, was on a routine flight from Oxford Helipad in Pune to Juhu in Mumbai when it encountered severe difficulties approximately 20 nautical miles from its departure point.According to preliminary reports, the helicopter was navigating through challenging weather conditions, including dense fog, which likely contributed to the accident. As the aircraft struggled to maintain control, it ultimately crashed into a hillside, resulting in a catastrophic outcome for those on board. The crew consisted solely of the two experienced pilots, Captain Pillai and Captain Paramjit, along with one aircraft maintenance engineer, and there were no passengers aboard at the time of the incident.
Tragically, initial assessments indicate that all three crew members sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The loss of these skilled professionals is a significant blow to the aviation industry and the community they served. As investigations continue, a representative from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has emphasized that these details are preliminary, and further verification is being pursued to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.The aviation community is mourning the loss of these individuals, and thoughts are with their families and colleagues during this difficult time. As more information becomes available, it is expected that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.