Private Helicopter Crash Near Pune Claims Lives of Ex-IAF Pilots and Navy Engineer

A helicopter belonging to Heritage Aviation crashed near Pune, resulting in the deaths of two former IAF pilots, Paramjeet Singh and G K Pillai, and ex-Navy engineer Pritam Kumar Bhardwaj. The chopper was hired by the Nationalist Congress Party. Initial investigations suggest fog as a possible cause.

A tragic helicopter crash near Pune on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of two ex-Indian Air Force pilots and a former Navy engineer, police confirmed.

The ill-fated Agusta 109 helicopter, owned by Delhi-based Heritage Aviation, was hired by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and had just taken off from Oxford County Golf Course helipad. The incident occurred at 7.40 am.

Preliminary reports suggest foggy conditions may have contributed to the crash. A detailed investigation is underway, according to officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

(With inputs from agencies.)