Dead pilot was among safest: Flight operator

Mumbai: The pilot who died in the helicopter crash in Goregaon on Sunday, 55-year-old Praful Kumar Mishra, had earlier worked with the Indian Army’s aviation corps and had participated in the 1999 Kargil operations. He was reckoned to be among the “safest” pilots and had flying experience of almost 4,000 plus hours.

Mishra is originally from Odisha and is survived by two sons, Manish and Shashank, and his wife. He had been living with only his elder son in the Powai area, though, as his wife and other son are in Bhuvaneshwar. According to sources from Aman Aviation, for whom Mishra worked, his body will be flown to Odisha in an aircraft on Monday.

Rajendra Johari, CEO, Aman Aviation, said, “I have lost a wonderful pilot, amazing friend and a great human being today,” Another private operator, Mandar Bharde, said, “He was one of the safest captains I have ever met.”