CM Devendra Fadnavis escapes helicopter accident

Mumbai: After surviving two helicopter accidents, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis survived yet another copter mishap at Alibaug on Friday.

This is the same VT-UPB numbered Bel 230 copter, which had developed a technical snag in Gadchiroli in May. It was manufactured in 1995 and state officials were not able to explain why the chief minister was flying in such an old machine. “While returning from Alibaug, the copter suddenly started moving forward.

Due to strong winds and the funnel effect, the pilot applied the brakes but he could not control the speed. There were too many people around so the pilot had no other option but to take off. He immediately landed again. The CM was standing on the left hand side of the craft, when it started moving. He immediately moved away to a safe distance. So there was no close shave, as it seems to appear in the visuals which were taken from one side,” a senior official said.

Confirming that it was the same copter, which developed a technical snag in Gadchiroli, the official said the government would have to take a call on flying helicopters along the western coast during the monsoons when the winds are not favourable. The Alibaug collector, Mr P D Malikner too denied that any accident took place. “The helicopter suddenly started, but the CM was away from the rotating blades. It was re-tested and the CM returned on it,” he said. The CMO has denied the accident.

In May, in Gadchiroli, the Bel 230 private helicopter that was ferrying Fadnavis, encountered a technical snag. One of its engines failed to start. Sources in the DGCA revealed that it had been bought from the Uttar Pradesh government by a private company. Currently, it is with U Y Aviation Private Limited. In May, the state government had empanelled two private aviation firms, Adonis and Aloft, from which it hires copters and planes. According to officials in the state aviation department, the companies were chosen after a tendering process. Meanwhile, the state-owned fleet consists of four crafts - a Citation Excel plane and a Dauphin helicopter, which are grounded, as they are due for inspection, the Sirkosky helicopter, which met with the accident in Latur, and a Beechcraft Super King Air 350, which is in working condition.

Previous Mishaps

• On May 26, Mr Devendra Fadnavis’ helicopter, a Sikorsky (VT-CMM), met with an accident in Latur. During landing the rotor blades of the helicopter entangled in the electric cables near the helipad.
• On May 13, one of the Bel 230 helicopter’s engine failed in Gadchiroli area.