ISLAMABAD: A Pawan Hans helicopter carrying seven people crash-landed into the sea near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday after encountering a technical snag mid-flight but all occupants were rescued safely with no injuries.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 am when the Aérospatiale AS 365N3 Dauphin helicopter registered VT-PHY experienced the malfunction shortly after departing from Sri Vijaya Puram formerly known as Port Blair.
The aircraft was on a scheduled inter-island route serving remote areas in the archipelago with two crew members and five passengers including at least one infant on board.
Officials described the event as a short landing incident or controlled emergency ditching as the helicopter came down in shallow waters approximately 300 metres short of the Mayabunder helipad.
Rescue teams including local police and coast guard personnel responded swiftly pulling all seven individuals from the water without delay.
The rescued passengers and crew were immediately taken to Dr Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder for medical observation though no serious injuries were reported.
Pawan Hans a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed the details in statements emphasizing that everyone remained safe following the mishap.
The helicopter had taken off from Port Blair around 8:45 am initially heading toward Rangat before continuing to Mayabunder as part of routine operations connecting isolated islands.
Some accounts indicate the flight originated from Rangat at about 9:11 am maintaining an altitude of around 2 500 feet when the issue arose during the final approach.
Pilots identified as Captain Anil Janu as pilot-in-command and Captain T P S Gulia as co-pilot managed to execute the emergency procedure effectively preventing a worse outcome.
Preliminary inquiries by civil aviation authorities pointed to a technical snag as the primary cause prompting the pilot to opt for a sea landing rather than risk an uncontrolled descent.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration along with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a formal investigation to determine the exact nature of the malfunction.
This event occurs against a backdrop of heightened concerns over helicopter safety in India coming just hours after a separate fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand that claimed seven lives.
Aviation experts note that inter-island operations in the Andamans pose unique challenges including variable weather remote infrastructure and reliance on aging fleets for essential connectivity.
Pawan Hans operates several such helicopters to support tourism medical evacuations and administrative needs in the union territory where road and sea links remain limited.
The successful rescue highlighted the effectiveness of local emergency protocols and coordination between civil aviation officials coast guard and hospital staff.
Passengers including individuals named in some reports as Rajita Devi infant Kamal Ch Das Sipra Saha and Nambi Amma were among those safely evacuated and monitored.
No fatalities or major harm resulted from the ditching a relief amid recent aviation setbacks that have prompted calls for stricter maintenance and oversight.
Authorities have yet to release the full flight data or black box analysis but emphasized that the aircraft sustained damage rendering it likely beyond immediate repair.
The incident underscores the vulnerabilities of helicopter services in India’s remote regions where technical reliability is critical for daily life and emergency response.
Pawan Hans has faced scrutiny in the past over fleet maintenance and operational safety though this outcome demonstrated crew training and preparedness.
As investigations proceed officials assured the public that steps would be taken to prevent recurrence and maintain confidence in inter-island air links.
The safe resolution brought relief to families and residents in the Andamans where such flights are vital for connectivity.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Pawan Hans helicopter Mayabunder technical snag emergency ditching