Chopper crashes minutes before flying Punjab minister

Chandigarh: Ten days after aviation authorities issued an airworthiness certificate to it, a Punjab government helicopter crashed at Chandigarh's civil airport on Thursday. The helicopter crashed barely 30 minutes before it was to fly state industries and local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia to Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district to attend a public function.
The Pawan Hans helicopter crashed shortly after refuelling, but two pilots on board — Manreet Singh Brar and Surinderpal Singh Brar — escaped unhurt.
The helicopter had flown deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday. It had been leased to the Punjab government for the last three years.
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an inquiry into the crash. Its three-member team, which reached the crash site in the afternoon, is expected to release a preliminary report on Friday. Operations at the airport came to a halt for almost an hour, where the glass wall of departure lounge broke due to the impact.
According to Chandigarh airport director Capt HS Toor, "The chopper was on a local sortie and lost balance when it was taxiing after refuelling, tilting on its right side." The pilots were rescued by others after breaking its window-panes.
17/12/10 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Dec 2010, Safety Dec 2010